The Norman McLeod Post 26 American Legion was filled to near capacity for its annual Memorial Day Service on May 28.
The somber event included the posting of the colors by Plant City High School ROTC Color Guard, a POW/MIA table salute, a message on the importance of respecting the American Flag and a roll call for those fallen in the line of duty over the past year.
Organizations and groups across the city all gathered to contribute flowers for the event. Following the ceremony, the Legion provided a barbecue lunch for guests.
Kevin Wynne, the guest speaker for the event, explained that he joined the Marine Corps after growing up and hearing the story of the grandfather he never knew, a Marine who was killed in action during WWII. The sacrifice his grandfather made gave Wynne a passion to serve as a tribute to all those who lost their lives protecting their country.
Wynne discussed the story of the Battle of Baltimore from the perspective of Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner, and encouraged guests to respect the flag. Following his tale, Post Legionnaires presented the Roll Call of the Missing.
Attendees sat in silence as the Legionnaires read three full pages worth of names of those who had sacrificed their life in the line of duty. Those pages were then ceremonially burned as the Legionnaires saluted the flame.