The event actually began at midnight Sunday with a posting of an armed Honor Guard member marching in the Veterans Section of the cemetery.
Deputies assigned to the Honor Guard march in 45 minute shifts for a 24-hour period from midnight Sunday to midnight Monday, each Memorial Day.
The event this year, as it always has, also involved a memorial service at 11:00 Monday morning.
During the service Sheriff Steve Cronic recognized Willard Langdon. Langdon has just completed the second edition of his book titled, "Law Enforcement in Hall County." The book chronicles the history of law enforcement in the community since it was established. Langdon is a veteran from the Vietnam conflict and a retired deputy from the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
The program also included a flag retirement ceremony for worn and tattered United States Flags. The United States Code states that when a flag is no longer serviceable it is to be destroyed by fire in a fitting ceremony, and the ashes buried in a place of honor. The ashes will be buried at the cemetery.
Meanwhile, the public is welcome to visit the Veterans section of the cemetery at any time before midnight Monday to view the changing of the guard, which will occur every 45 minutes during the hours of darkness and every 30 minutes during daylight hours.
File photo (provided by Hall County Sheriff's Office)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/5/239136