Bugler Edward Ballinger closes the ceremony with the playing of taps. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Flags fluttered at the grave sites of military members at Big Pine Key’s Memorial Gardens of the Keys on Memorial Day, May 26. Custom red, white and blue flag bases, made by students at Sugarloaf School, added a fitting backdrop to a ceremony by Marathon’s American Legion Post 154 paying tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States.
“The hot dogs, hamburgers and Coca-Colas that you will consume this weekend are the most expensive you will ever eat or drink, because they were bought with the blood of these veterans,” said the Legion’s J.R. Jones. “When you lay your head down tonight, please remember that many of these laid their head down in the dirt on your behalf.”
Bases painted by Sugarloaf School students hold American flags to pay tribute to members of the American military at the Memorial Gardens of the Keys on Big Pine Key.Bases painted by Sugarloaf School students hold American flags to pay tribute to members of the American military at the Memorial Gardens of the Keys on Big Pine Key.Chaplain J.R. Jones leads a ceremony to honor America’s fallen on Memorial Day.Bases painted by Sugarloaf School students hold American flags to pay tribute to members of the American military at the Memorial Gardens of the Keys on Big Pine Key.The American Legion’s Bobby Wellsby fires a shot in honor of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
