Despite the fear surrounding the early morning drizzle, the rain held off for this year’s Memorial Day parade and subsequent ceremony on Saturday, May 24.
Many people gathered on the Blairsville Square not just to browse vendors for the well-attended Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival, but to check out the decked-out vehicles and fanciful floats meant to invoke a sense of patriotism and pride.
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This year’s theme highlighted Korean War veterans, and a tractor pulling a trailer of them – including Grand Marshal Jack McCorkle alongside Frank Merritt, Roger Pilcher and others – brought attention to their service.
Chuck Honaker and Rob Mawyer emceed the parade, with Mawyer illustrating the importance of veteran visibility, particularly for the Korean War era.
“We lost 36,516 brave souls (during the Korean War),” said Mawyer over the loudspeaker, with Honaker describing the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
“Veterans Day honors all veterans who have served, whereas today, on Memorial Day, we’re honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and we’re all blessed and honored by their service,” Honaker announced.
Sheriff Shawn Dyer, the Union County High School Band, and the Georgia Chapter of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club made up the beginning of the parade along with Blairsville Mayor Buddy Moore, County Commissioner Harold Collins and more.
Vintage and modern vehicles enjoyed a ride through downtown Blairsville, including members of the Blairsville Cruisers and a historical military Jeep circa 1942 produced for use in World War II. Meanwhile, modern Jeeps decorated in flags and red, white and blue wreaths drove forth with their rubber duckies at the helm.
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution came dressed in their 1776 best atop their float, and the North Georgia Honor Guard’s float gave a reminder of what the day was about with its sentinels posted around a flag-draped coffin.
Starting around 10:30 a.m. and wrapping up in a little under 20 minutes, Honaker suggested viewers meet up at the Union County War Memorial Park at noon sharp for the annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Ingrid Engle read aloud the poem “Dedication Day,” and Alton “Doc” Coleman delivered the invocation. Along with the traditional posting of the colors, each branch’s flag was raised, with the UCHS Band playing the accompanying themes.
This year’s keynote speaker was Arthur “Art” McCann III, described as “a soldier’s soldier” by American Legion Post 121 Cmdr. Mike Merritt. McCann’s own parents served in the Korean War, and he himself is an accomplished Army veteran belonging to the Ranger Hall of Fame.
McCann started out by giving some insight into the Korean War, mapping out its history, America’s involvement and how the echoes of the war are still felt today, despite the conflict earning the moniker of “The Forgotten War.”
Speaking of that title, McCann also explained how it came to be associated with the Korean War. The shadow of World War II loomed over the lives of American citizens, and war was never officially declared with North Korea on the part of the United States.
As mentioned during the parade, more than 36,000 soldiers lost their lives in the Korean War, and more than 100,000 were wounded. Seventeen women, all of them nurses, were also killed.
Two brave men were from Union County. One of them, Vernon Burns, was returned home for burial. Claude Stephens, like Jack McCorkle, participated in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, and lost his life there. His remains have not yet been found.
“It’s important to remember that approximately one million servicemen who served during the Korean War are alive today. Most are in their 90s. They fought proudly in a harsh environment for a people they never met and a country they never knew,” McCann stated.
The dire message wrapping up his speech was one that united soldiers from all eras. Often, the combat follows those who return home. Those suffering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder are invited to reach out to their fellow veterans and community organizations to find the help they need to readjust and thrive.
More than a few attendees grew emotional at the haunting melody of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes, the rifle volley, and the “Taps” call that drew a hush from the crowd before the ending of the near-sacred service. Keith Bragg left them with even more to think about after performing his new song, “Flags and Flowers.”
Jack Dugger was not part of the ceremony, but he was in attendance and is a veteran. Wearing a custom-made vest, he remembers graduating high school with the man whose portrait graces the right breast – Bobby Jones.
Dugger and Jones were friends and both served in Vietnam. Jones, a surgeon, played a vital role in saving the lives of the injured and getting them back home. After his plane crashed into a mountain, his remains were never found, leaving him as one of Georgia’s 50 missing servicemen from the Vietnam War.
Jones’ sister, Dugger notes, has mementos of him hanging all around her house, and Dugger has visited her in North Carolina to reminisce about his buddy. Together, they keep his memory alive, as all veterans – and indeed, the community at large – strive to do on Memorial Day.
