Saturday's Ceremony was Awesome

by Evanthe Papastathis
(Atlanta, GA)

One Down, Several to Go

Expecting only 50 to 75 people, imagine my surprise and joy when I looked out amongst the crowd and saw over 250 people. Their were family members, friends, general public, and most importantly children.

My speech praised the servicemen and women along with there families. I lead and promoted this ceremony for them.

I asked all who attended to take a moment to thank a service man or women next time they met one. It is a moment very well spent.

We were fortunate that the weather held to allow full color and military honors ending with a F-16 fly by after the POW/MIA wreath was laid.

The ceremony, the formality, and the emotion was ultimately done for one reason. To Honor, to Remember, and to Teach. We did this, this year by being able to place one wreath at every headstone in one section of the Georgia National Cemetery and have a special wreath on a stand for the remaining sections.

Our goal next year is every grave at every section. I, along many who attended Saturday are committed to making this happen and are very much looking forward to 2008.

Thank You and May God Bless You All!

Evanthe Papastathis
Leader: Georgia National Cemetery