Memorial Day 2009 at Friendly Center

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Last Monday, we had the good fortune to attend the Memorial Day Service at Friendly Center. Each year, promptly at 8am, veterans began the ceremony of putting up the flags. (The flags remain at half mast until after 12 noon). The event is sponsored by the Marine Corps League of Greater Greensboro. Here we see attending veterans lined up and saluting as three marines raised the flag on the main flagpole. In the back left, Major Gregory A. Wynn can be seen participating in his final ceremony in Greensboro. He has been promoted to lieutenant colonel and will relocate to New York with his family.

Peggy Longmire wrote an informative article about the recent event in the News and Record. Several people in the crowd commented that they only learned of the event thanks to Mr. Longmire's article the day before. Veterans commented that this year's ceremony was the best attended. This is one of many examples of how a community depends on a local newspaper to stay informed. Major Wynn gave an inspiring speech during the ceremony in which he acknowledged the family of a Greensboro soldier who recently lost his life serving in the US Military. Additionaly, Major Wynn urged us all to contribute to our community in some capacity.

We learned that, to participate in the ceremony, the only required part of the uniform is a hat. Finally, you will see a man in a kilt. The USMC has an official tartan, the Leatherneck Tartan, which, likely would be the pattern of choice for the Marine Corps Pipers. The kilt in the picture closely resembles the official USMC tartan.

Posted at 05:30 AM in 2009, 2009: 2nd Quarter, Holiday, People | Permalink