The special Memorial Day service was organized by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retired US Navy Reserve Captain Richard Halferty gave the address. Aside from the remarkable words he shared, and the colorful, symbolic highlights -- the cannon salute, the flyover, the performance of taps -- what's so touching is the number of parents who bring their children to this event year after year to engrain in them the importance of this day.
"My father was a vet and we have friends buried here," said attendee Kevin Williams. "It's just how they learn."
Several local veterans' organizations participated in the special Memorial Day ceremony by laying wreaths.
Other area events:
The Memorial Day Service at Magnolia Cemetery will promptly begin at 10:00 in the morning to remember, to reflect, and honor the men and women who gave their life for their country, and is open to the public.
Galveston native Charles J. Sabatier will be honored in a Memorial Day ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial located at Moody Gardens. His memory will be celebrated at Moody Gardens at May 28 at 10:30 a.m. with a dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. His widow, Peggy Griffin, will be a featured speaker at the event.
"A Tribute to Heroes and Freedom" -- 11am - 12pm, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery Reflection Lake, 13001 Katy Freeway
The City of Baytown, in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, will host a Memorial Day Service at the City's Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market Street.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with the Posting of the Colors and the National Anthem, performed by the Robert E. Lee High School JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Jerry Johnson, VFW Post 912; followed by an invocation from Reverend Paul Lowe. The event's guest speaker will be William R. Eckert III, Executive Director of Bay Area Homeless Services, Inc.
Jerry Johnson, Rosendo Lopez (both of VFW Post 912) and Conrad Garcia (Vietnam Veterans Chapter 912) will present the formal reading of names of area service members who've lost their lives while protecting and serving our great country. Jay Sanders (VFW Post 912) will coordinate the placement of several memorial wreaths on the park's Veterans Memorial Plaza.
The ceremony will close with a benediction from Reverend Love, and the playing of "Taps." Baytown service organizations who wish to participate are invited to bring additional wreaths to be placed in honor of our veterans.
The USSVI and the SubVets of WWII will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony at Seawolf Park
Place: Seawolf Park, Galveston, TX
Date: Monday, May 28th
Time: 11:00AM
Parking and entrance into the Military exhibit is free. There will be speakers from the Navy, Army and Marine Corp. After the ceremony the ships will be open for tours.
The Sons of the American Legion Post No. 554 will have a barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28 at 1650 state Highway 3 S in League City. The cost is $7. The group also will have an Indy 500 party.
The Sugar Land Skeeters will be in action tonight down at Constellation Field. Since it is Memorial Day, they'll be honoring our local military families.
The entire team will be wearing camouflage jerseys and will have a pre-game ceremony honoring the military. A local wounded warrior will also throw out the first pitch.
The festivities start at 5:30, with the first pitch at 6:05 tonight.
The Wall That Heals traveling exhibit will be in Sugar Land for the Memorial Day weekend. The display of the traveling exhibition will be at Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd. from May 24 to 28, from 8am to 8pm. All activities are free and open to the public.
Towne Lake hosts a Memorial Day Lantern Launch in memory of loved ones who have departed. Attendees will have the opportunity to dedicate a lantern for someone special. The area will be illuminated as 500 lanterns are released to float around the lake. The event will be hel 7:30-9:30pm at Towne Lake Community Center, 9214 W. Bridgeport Pass Circle, Cypress, Texas 77433. Lanterns will be lit and released at approximately 8:15pm. The event is free and open to the public.
