FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) – Red, white, and blue painted the crowd that came out to Monday morning’s Memorial Day ceremony at Florence National Cemetery.
21 gunshots brought the reality of battle to the sacred grounds, and the somber notes of taps served to remind those gathered just how much Florence has lost.
Among those who came to honor the fallen soldiers was Florence Senator Hugh Leatherman.
“To come and honor those who gave their all, that’s the least we can do,” he said.
The Senator, currently facing a primary challenge, had a different battle on his mind during Monday morning’s service. For Leatherman, the memory of his own fallen warrior makes Memorial Day all the more important to him.
“I had a cousin that was off the coast of North Carolina on a ship, and a German U-boat sunk that ship,” Sen. Leatherman recalled. “So I know first-hand what it’s like to have that car come, and we all knew what was coming when that car came.”
It wasn’t all sadness though. There was, in fact, hope for the future. A young Pee Dee man on the edge of the crowd in a dress uniform was applauded.
Ensign Brian Tsai just graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. He hopes to honor the sacrifice of so many before him by serving his country with honor.
“This country’s offered so many great opportunities for me,” Tsai said. “I feel the best way to give back is to honor those by serving and continuing on their legacy.”
That legacy proved to be alive and well Monday morning in Florence, even among the rows honoring the sacrifice of thousands. Most who came here this morning to pay respects said they were confident that if and when the next sacrifice is needed, plenty of Americans will be there to answer the call.
