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Just enough – A moment to remember

Decatur

Just enough – A moment to remember

A little girl places a rose on the veterans memorial at the Decatur cemetery as part of a short Memorial Day ceremony, held May 26. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt
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A little girl places a rose on the veterans memorial at the Decatur cemetery as part of a short Memorial Day ceremony, held May 26. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

A little girl places a rose on the veterans memorial at the Decatur cemetery as part of a short Memorial Day ceremony, held May 26. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

The Memorial Day ceremony at Decatur Cemetery wasn’t fancy, but it was enough.

Chris Billingsley, a retired Decatur High School social studies teacher, stood close to an umbrella as rain plopped on the edges of his yellow legal pad.

Decatur resident Deanne Thomas held the umbrella for him. A handful of people gathered to hear Billingsley speak.

“There are 52 men who are memorialized in the Decatur cemetery and this is the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase and today we honor them,” Billingsley said. “And we also remember their families, because for them, Memorial Day is every day of the year.”

With each name, there was a clang on a triangle held by another bystander. When Billingsley finished he and a little girl who had joined the group placed two roses on the veterans memorial at the cemetery: one for those who died serving their country who are buried at the cemetery, and one for their families.

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Deanne Thomas holds an umbrella while Chris Billingsley reads the names of men memorialized at the Decatur Cemetery as as part of a Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Chris Billingsley hands a rose to a little girl so she can place it on the veterans memorial at the Decatur Cemetery. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Chris Billingsley hands a rose to a little girl so she can place it on the veterans memorial at the Decatur Cemetery. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Another bystander played  "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Decatur Cemetery. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Hank Frantz played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Decatur Cemetery. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

 

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