Hundreds pay tribute to fallen soldiers at Memorial Park service

GAINESVILLE - A crowd of close to 300 attended the annual Memorial Day service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Gainesville.

The annual event, sponsored by Memorial Park Funeral Home, is held in the Veteran's Section of the cemetery, which is just off Brown's Bridge Road in Gainesville.

In addition to hearing from Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic, the crowd heard a message from keynote speaker LTC Bob O'Brien, U.S. Army, Commander of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion in Dahlonega.

A part of the ceremony included a changing of the guard at the Veterans Monument at the cemetary. This year, the honor guard not only included members of the Hall County Sheriff's Department and the Army National Guard, but the Gainesville Police Department also participated.

Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Bonner Burton was a commander for the honor guard this year.

"It's Memorial Day, so it's fitting to have soldiers here with us," said Burton. "But we're [HCSO] not the only honor guard in town, and I felt like it was very appropriate and important that we show some unity on a day like today."

The program also included a tribute to LCpl. Sean Adams, who earlier in the day had served as the co-grand marshal for the city's Memorial Day parade. Adams, who lost both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan just three months ago, arrived home to Gainesville Friday. He has spent the weekend traveling from one Memorial Day event to another.

In years past, the program has included a flag retirement ceremony for worn and used American flags. This year the Hall County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Memorial Park Funeral Home, announced that a special receptacle would be installed to hold the ashes of the retired flags.

"This will be just a dedicated area just for those flags, you know, where people can come and reflect or whatever it may be...just think about Ole' Glory," said Billy Hendrix with Memorial Park Funeral Home.