From the death of United States Air Force Master Sergeant Michael Heiser and 18 other service members in the Khobar Towers bombing of 1996, to the passing of 19 service members in 1983 during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Memorial Day remembrances in Flagler County seemed to touch every generation, resonating with attendees of all ages at events across the community on Monday.
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Dignitaries, elected officials and patriotic residents moved from Palm Coast’s ceremony at Heroes Park to the Government Services Building later in the morning where Veterans Services Officer David Lydon hosted the county’s official Memorial Day presentation.
Recognizing both retired US Marine Corps veteran Daniel Hughes for his induction into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2021, and keynote speaker Vietnam veteran Colonel Cecil Hengeveld, remarks returned full circle to those who have given their lives in service to the country.
“I’m here to remember, on Memorial Day, all those we’ve lost in service to our country, especially those I personally knew,” said Hengeveld. “It’s very important to serve because it is our country and only we can serve and support it.”
“Memorial Day is the day when those who died in service to the country – and it doesn’t have to be combat, I lost three good friends in flight training, let alone in combat, we should remember that they left their families to support all of us,” he said.
It was a poignant reminder of a life cut short as the program shared the story of US Air Force Master Sergeant Michael Heiser, killed in the Khobar Tower bombings in 1996. The Heiser Foundation was created in Michael’s name to honor his legacy, and today supports causes like GratitudeAmerica and Teens-In-Flight.
“Today we commemorated those who lost their lives in service to our country, including Master Sergeant Michael Heiser,” said Lydon. “He’s from right here, Palm Coast and we thought it was very important to speak his name and to remember him.”
“As I said up there, I think when we lose somebody in combat like that, they really lose two lives,” shared Navy veteran Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen.
“They lose the life that they have, right there, but the second life they lose is their chance to be a father, a grandfather, run for elected office, be a citizen. So they really lose two lives,” he said.
“We want them to understand we appreciate them coming to honor those who didn’t make it back,” said Flagler County Commissioner David Sullivan, also a Navy veteran.
“It’s a terrible, heartless thing that happens to a family when they lose someone at a young age, at any age, especially at a young age and their life is gone. It’s very important we continue Memorial Day and make it stronger than ever, because we have people still dying in service to the country.”
Joining the service, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson felt it was her duty to attend and pay tribute to the men and women like MSGT Heiser, who’ve given their lives in defense of freedom.
“I’m very patriotic and want to honor those who gave their lives for us to have the freedoms that we have today,” she said. “We take for granted our freedoms, and it’s not free. Today is the day to recognize that and realize there are people who have sacrificed their lives for us.”
READ MORE: Palm Coast’s Heroes Among Us
