“Our flag does not fly because the wind blows it; it blows with the last breath of every soldier who died defending it.” – Author Unknown
Espanola, FL (May 29, 2021) It’s a solemn duty to place the flags on the graves of soldiers across the United States, and each year members of the community join members of organizations like the American Legion Post 115 in Palm Coast to honor those who have fallen, over Memorial Day weekend.
American Legion Post 115 First Vice Commander Joe Pepin helped shepherd the efforts early Saturday morning at the Espanola Cemetery alongside Randall Morris, representing the families in the cemetery that dates back to 1875.
A proud service member, Pepin, at age 75 says he’d willingly step up to serve again if asked with no hesitation, after serving six years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964-1970 followed by eight years with the Connecticut National Guard.
“We’re here today celebrating the lives of our brothers and sisters who never made it home,” he said, voice deep with emotion.
“It is not just a holiday to celebrate with hamburgers, hot dogs and ribs. We need to remember the military families. We can never, never move away from the fact that we lost people who will never return to their families. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and we should never forget that.”
Gary Owens, assistant director for the American Legion Riders Chapter 115, rounded up the troops for breakfast and fellowship once they’d finished helping place more than 220 American flags throughout the cemetery.
“Memorial Day is all about honoring the veterans who didn’t make it home,” he said. “The rest of us did and that’s what Veteran’s Day is for but today and this weekend it’s for remembering those who passed.”
Owens said education plays a large role in ensuring the sacrifices of service members across America are not forgotten.
“That’s a big thing where I’d like to start talking to the schools and get more of this done. We have a great guy in Billy Jones who comes in and does ‘Veterans in the Classroom’. He wasn’t able to due to COVID restrictions, do it this last year, but civics in the school is lacking and I say thank you to Governor DeSantis for pushing that to get civics back in the class. Myself, as a veteran, I think it’s extremely important.”
As a private cemetery, American Legion member Randall Morris helps coordinate the placement of flags and wreaths during the holidays where ninety percent of those interred are related, often receiving assistance from the local Boy Scouts and JROTC programs.
With a great uncle who served in both World War II and the Korean War laid to rest in the cemetery, David Emery was grateful for the remembrance, and showed his respect by coming out early and lending a hand.
“I have family here, live in the community and to honor those who gave everything so we could be free,” shared Emery. “It’s very important to show respect and honor their memory.”
Flagler Beach, Palm Coast & Flagler County Memorial Day Services
Flagler Beach (Sunday, May 30th): Please join the City of Flagler Beach as we honor those that gave all protecting our great nation. This year’s Memorial Day remembrance ceremony will be held at Veterans Park on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Veterans Park is located in downtown Flagler Beach, at the corner of SRA1A and SR100.
Palm Coast (Monday, May 31st): Join the City of Palm Coast for a Memorial Day Ceremony, “Remembering America’s Heroes,” on Monday, May 31 from 8 – 9 a.m. at Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Parkway. Parking is available along Corporate Drive and at the Library. Special Guest: U.S. Congressman Michael Waltz.
Flagler County (Monday, May 31st): Join Flagler County at its Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, featuring Special Guest Speaker Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris, US Army (retired), Vietnam War Special Forces Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. in front of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Flagler Beach (Monday, May 31st): “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3:00 p.m. The “Moment of Remembrance” was first proclaimed in May 2000 for Memorial Day that year, and was put in law by the United States Congress in December 2000. The Moment allows all Americans the opportunity to stop, remember and reflect in their own way on the sacrifices given by our brave Military members that lost their lives defending freedom.
FY 2021/22 to 2025/26 TIP & 2021 LOPP Available for Public Review & Comment
River to Sea TPO invites the public to weigh in on short and long range project planning in two key areas: FY 2021/22 to 2025/26 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) & 2021 List of Priority Projects (LOPP).
The TIP is a short-range list of proposed transportation improvement projects for the metropolitan planning area including all of Volusia County and the urbanized areas of Beverly Beach, Bunnell, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast and unincorporated Flagler County. Public comments may be submitted directly to the TPO office by email, mail, telephone or by clicking here. The TPO Board is expected to take action on the FY 2021/22 to FY 2025/26 TIP (as may be revised in response to the public input) at its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. The Draft TIP is available for review at: Draft FY 2021/22 to 2025/26 TIP
The LOPP identifies the TPO’s priorities for project funding. It includes the following categories of transportation projects:
Public comments may be submitted directly to the TPO office by email, mail, telephone or by clicking here. The TPO Board is expected to take action on the 2021 LOPP (as may be revised in response to public input) at its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. The Draft 2021 LOPP is available for review at: Draft 2021 LOPP
Have questions about the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization? Find out more here.