Remembrances of the fallen in Celebration, BVL, St. Cloud
Three separate Memorial Day ceremonies took place across Osceola County this past Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, the Veterans Club of Celebration held its annual Flag Ceremony at Founders Park, assisted by Air Force Junior R.O.T.C. cadets and local Scouts.
On Monday morning, the City of St. Cloud observed its 116th Memorial Day observance at historic Mount Peace Cemetery. The Mishawaka Girl Scouts led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by Brooke Envall. A stream of local elected officials made remarks in memory of those who have fallen in all of America’s past wars, including those recently killed in action during the ongoing Operation Epic Fury against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East.
Wreaths from various veterans’ organizations, elected officials, and the city’s Police and Fire Rescue Departments were solemnly laid to remember the fallen. The city’s Mount Peace Cemetery is the resting place of over 300 Civil War Union veterans and many other veterans of all wars since then, including the Global War on Terror. The Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard performed the military honors of posing the colors, a 21-gun salute, and sounding TAPS, assisted by the St. Cloud High School’s Army Junior R.O.T.C. unit.
On Monday afternoon, the Buenaventura Lakes community observed Memorial Day at the 65th Infantry Veterans Park. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office color guard posted the colors to start the ceremony. A chorus from the Osceola School for the Arts performed the National Anthem, sang the individual military branch songs, and other patriotic songs throughout the program.
Major General Antonio J. Vicens-Gonzalez, a retired U.S. Army National Guard officer and the 18th Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard from Jan. 2, 2009, to December 2012, was the special guest speaker.
“When someone responds to a call for military service, they answer a call that is greater than them. When they are then called upon to give their life for this country, it is a life that is cut short and leaves a hole in the hearts of their family,” said General Vincens.
During the observance in BVL, an effort was announced to create a specialty license plate in recognition of the 65th Infantry Brigade Borinqueneers. St a t e Representative Paula Stark, who hosted the observance, will introduce authorizing legislation in the Florida House once the license plate design process is complete.
Memorial Day is traditionally observed on the last Monday in May. Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11, the date that World War I ended in 1918.
