By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The Finis J. Self Chapter 2212 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart has announced plans to honor the fallen warriors of Cullman and Morgan Counties. The memorial service will be held at the Purple Heart Memorial in John Sparkman Park Aug. 4, at 10 a.m.
The honorees are members of the Armed Forces who either gave their lives in one of our nation's wars or received a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. The names of many of the honorees are permanently engraved on the memorial's headstones.
During the service the name of each honoree will be spoken aloud by an elected official, followed by the sounding of a handheld bell. The next of kin or a friend, if present, will receive a flower.
A memorial brick will be placed in the memorial's Veteran's Walk by Fay Kilgo, the mother of Joshua Adam Bailey, a Marine who died tragically in an accident during his training at Camp LeJuene, N. C. last February. The Walk is made up of two sizes of memorial bricks. They may be purchased and inscribed as a means to honor or memoralize any veteran.
Guest speaker for the event will be Col. William Crosby who is stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. State Representatives Bill Dukes and Ronald Grantland and Wiley Kitchens, chairman of the Cullman County Commission, will read the names of honorees. Hartselle May Dwight Tankersley or his representative will read a proclamation declaring Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day. The opening and closing prayers will be delivered by the Rev. Fred Rivers.
The Sons of the American Revolution will post the colors and fire a musket salute at the conclusion of the service.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is unique among military organizations. All of its members, past and present, have spilt blood in combat with an enemy of the United States.
The service is open to the public.