Buckhannon Memorial Day Services, Heavner Cemetery
BUCKHANNON, WV: Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner and City Recorder Randy Sanders joined the Upshur County Honor Guard, including representatives from VFW Post 3663 and American Legion Post 7, for the annual Memorial Day Service, held on Monday, May 27th, at the Heavner Cemetery. During the service, which honors the women and men who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Mayor Skinner opened the service with an invocation followed by Ed Smith of the Upshur County Honor Guard, who spoke on the history and importance of Memorial Day.
Mayor Skinner then delivered the following remarks to the attendees:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Honored Guests, and Fellow Citizens of our Buckhannon-Upshur community: today, we gather in solemn remembrance and heartfelt gratitude for the brave men and women who’ve served and made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Memorial Day is so much more than just a holiday; it is a day of reflection, honor, and reverence. Buckhannon, like cities large and small across the United States, has a deep and proud history of military service. From the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, men and women from here in our community have consistently stepped forward in times of need, offering its best and bravest to defend our freedoms and protect our way of life.
As we stand here today, let us remember the countless individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. So many of the names etched on the monuments around us tell a story of courage, sacrifice, and love of country. These heroes left behind families, friends, and futures all for the greater good, embodying the true spirit of patriotism.
We must also acknowledge the families of the fallen, who have borne the unimaginable burden of loss with grace and strength. Their sacrifice is equally profound, and it is through these family members’ loved ones’ that their legacies live on.
Today, we pause to honor their memory, not just with words but with our actions. Let us commit ourselves to upholding the values they fought for: liberty, justice, patriotism, and unity. In our daily lives, let us strive to be citizens worthy of their sacrifice.
As we enjoy the freedoms and privileges of our great nation, let us never forget that they were paid for at the highest price. Let us never miss an opportunity to teach the children of our community the importance of this day, ensuring that the legacy of our fallen heroes is never forgotten.
In closing, I ask that we all take a moment of silence to honor and remember those who have given everything for our country.
May their courage inspire us, may their sacrifice guide us, and may their memories eternally be the examples for all of us to follow. Thank you for gathering today. May God continue to bless our City of Buckhannon, the great State of West Virginia, and the United States of America.
The services concluded with the Upshur County Honor Guard firing three volleys in memory of the fallen and the playing of Taps.
