Memorial Day service set for veterans bridge site

America’s fallen military men and women will be saluted at a community Memorial Day service Monday, May 29.

The service will be held at the Veterans Memorial Bridge and Garden (located at the south end of River Park on South Main Street) beginning at 11 a.m.

The veterans bridge site has hosted some type of Memorial Day service the past several years. Like those events, this one will be free to attend and open to the public, confirmed Don Murray, one of the event’s organizers.

“We have got a number of different groups involved,” said Murray.

The numerous community groups participating in or helping put the the service together include the local Civil Air Patrol squadron, the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, Daughters of the American Revolution Capt. James Kell chapter, local Boy Scouts, Ellijay Lions Club, American Legion Post 82 and others, Murray noted.

The ceremony’s guest speaker will be retired U.S. Navy Capt. Greg Sandway. Sandway, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, served his country in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He now resides in Gilmer County.

Murray said the service will also feature other speakers, a 21-gun salute and special recognition of veterans bridge founder Sandy Lyons, who organized the annual Memorial Day event for many years.

Parking will be available at the lots inside River Park, as well as the Lions Club Fairgrounds.

“The Lions Club will open their gates by the barn (at the fairgrounds). The Scouts and Civil Air Patrol will be helping to get people seated if they need help,” Murray said.