Solemn ceremonies took place across Osceola County over the weekend into Monday to observe Memorial Day 2024.
Starting Saturday, the Veterans Club of Celebration hosted a Flag ceremony at Founders’ Park, with over 150 attending. Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Salvatore Negro and Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez provided Memorial Day messages. In his remarks, Chief Negro tallied up the number of Americans who have given up their lives in America’s armed conflicts since the Revolutionary War, approximately 1.3 million.
“But do not remember them only in grief, “said Negro.
Boy Scout Troop 125 and Cub Scout Pack 125 comprised a flag detail that changed out the enormous U.S. flag, with the utmost respect and dignity, that flies in Founders’ Park. Choral music was performed by the Celebration Community Chorus throughout, and bugler and Marine veteran Kim Lenaway performed Taps to close the ceremony.
Monday saw three more ceremonies across the county. A well-attended wreath-laying ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at St. Cloud’s Mount Peace Cemetery with multiple wreaths provided by various organizations and individuals.
In Kissimmee, Mayor Olga Gonzalez read the city’s Memorial Day proclamation and an honor guard fired a 21gun salute to the fallen at the Veterans Memorial in Lakefront Park. Earlier in the morning, members of Kissimmee’s American Legion Post 10 gathered at Rose Hill Cemetery to honor their Post’s namesakes Makinson and Carson, who gave their lives in WWI, before participating in the lakefront Veterans Memorial ceremony.
Later in the day, State Rep. Paula Stark hosted an inaugural Memorial Day observance at the 65th Infantry Veteran’s Park in Buenaventura Lakes. Many local elected officials and dignitaries were on hand, including Congressman Darren Soto, State Sen. Victor Torres, Sheriff Lopez and St. Cloud City Council members Kolby Urban, Ken Gilbert and Shawn Fletcher.
The special guest speaker was retired Army Colonel D.J. Reyes, who sits on various national, U.S. Congressional and State veteran advisory boards. He told the audience that how we honor and remember those who fought and died for our country directly affects how our young people view military service. The Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard fired a 21-gun salute and played Taps to conclude the Buenaventura Lakes ceremony.
