LULA – Lula might be small in size (2758 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census) but the northeast Hall County city that straddles the Banks County line is a giant when it comes to patriotic fervor.
Memorial Day in Lula is a big deal; it means more than a day off work and a time to fire-up the grill. Lula and her citizens take time every year to remember that liberty has a price tag, that freedom isn’t free.
“I think it means a little bit more…that these small places where folks with big hearts and big spirits still live to this day…folks do come from these small towns that make a difference.”
Those were the words of guest speaker Richie Thibeault, as he spoke in front of the Memorial Wall at Lula’s Veterans’ Park Monday morning.
Thibeault, 29, lives in Clarkesville, a town he says is very similar to Lula. He currently works as a Hall County firefighter but spent several years in the U.S. Army serving as a medic in Afghanistan and Iraq. He left the military as a Sergeant and recipient of two Purple Hearts.
Thibeault fought back the tears of powerful emotion as the colors were presented by the Hall County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard. “I don’t know about you guys, but any and every time I see that flag, that I’ve served and lived for, raised and presented, knowing what it means to me, that stuff makes my heart swell with pride.”
The crowd was growing in size as Thibeault spoke. “For (you) to take the time out of your day, today, to come here and to recognize folks, that says more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Thibeault did not go into detail about his time in the Middle East, but he did say he witnessed the ultimate sacrifice some made for freedom. “In one deployment my unit lost twenty-two,” he said.
Pausing to regain his composure, Thibeault said, “It’s not only on this day that we remember, but every single day. We all have busy lives but is it too much to…say, ‘I thank you, Father, for those who have given for me.’?”
Listening closely, Duwayne Norton, 11, stood nearby with his father and brother. He said he knew what Memorial Day was about. He said his father, a veteran himself, had helped him to understand.
“Memorial Day is about people who sacrificed their life to protect our country."
