The past and present were woven together to create the fabric of memories as Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson (R-Oxford) delivered the keynote address at Oxford’s Memorial Day celebration in Centennial Park Monday.
‘It’s nice to see this many people here, however, we could have more,? he told the crowd. ‘The ‘more? I’m referring to are those of our people that are serving our country in various parts of the world.
‘We wish they could be here with us this morning. However, hopefully they will be back with us safely and very soon.?
Patterson took the audience on a journey into the past by reciting President Abraham Lincoln’s famous ‘Gettsyburg Address,? originally delivered in November 1863 as part of the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania.
Lincoln’s 140-year-old words rang true in the present day, especially in light of America’s ongoing global war against terrorism ? ‘It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they whom fought here have thus far so noblely advanced. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation under God shall have new birth of freedom.?
‘Today is a day to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our liberties and also those men and women among the living who fought and are fighting for our freedom as we speak,? Patterson said. ‘Let us not forget the reason and purpose of our celebration today.?
‘Let us pause in our activities of this Memorial Day and offer a prayer for the safe and early return of our service people from their posts around the world.
‘Let us also remember the living veterans who may be hospitalized as a result of fighting for us. Write them, call them or visit them. Let them know that we do appreciate what they have done and what they have given for us.?
After the ceremony in Centennial Park, the annual parade traveled down S. Washington and W. Burdick streets to the old Oxford Township cemetery.
There members of American Legion Post 108 performed a mock funeral service, using a special casket provided by Huntoon Funeral Home-Oxford, to commemorate and honor all the veterans who have passed away.
Legion members performed the traditional flag-folding ceremony using a large American flag draped over the casket.
The flag was folded 12 times into a triangular shape, which ‘takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones.?
During the ceremony, the audience was told what each fold represented:
? 1st fold ? symbol of life
? 2nd fold ? belief in eternal life
? 3rd fold ? honor and remembrance of the veteran who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country.
? 4th fold ? our weaker nature and our faith in God
? 5th fold ? tribute to our country
? 6th fold ? where our hearts lie; pledge of allegiance
? 7th fold ? tribute to our Armed Forces
? 8th fold ? tribute to those who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might seethe the light of day; made in honor of mother
? 9th fold ? tribute to womanhood
? 10th fold ? tribute to father
? 11th fold ? for the eyes of a Hebrew citizen
? 12th fold ? in the eyes of a Christian citizen
Once the flag was properly folded, it was presented to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108 member Muriel O’Berry, who’s husband Jack O’Berry, a World War II veteran and Post 108 member, passed away in March. The flag used in the Memorial Day ceremony was from O’Berry’s casket.