Forest Park Honors Veterans

 

 

Forest Park recognized several men and women branches of military who have sacrificed greatly to triumph over evil during a Veterans Day ceremony Monday, at Forest Park City Hall, Forest Park, Georgia. Ms. Elaine Corley, Director, Forest Park, Parks and Recreation Department, addressed veterans and residents by referring to the closing lines of the national anthem. – “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. She noted that these words, engraved on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., can be applied to veterans of all wars. The actual words on the dedication stone are: “Our nation honors her sons and daughters wh

o answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.” Ms Corley thanked all veterans for their sacrifices and for keeping our nation safe.

 

Michelle Dorsey sang an a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace., and Marine Gunnery SGT (RET) Joseph Heckstall Sr., sang “America the Beautiful” to kick off the ceremony inside council chambers.

 

Army Col. (RET) Harriet Staten, mother of Ken Staten Jr., Forest Park’s. Supervisor of Parks and Recreation, was the guest. "Many gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives,” she stated. “They are heroes, but you are all heroes, too, for supporting us and giving us the privilege and thanks. We proudly serve, the veterans who served across this nation through many wars. Despite the supposed end to the global war on terrorism the United States branches of military are still represented throughout the world. Many young men and women still serve to keep us free. Freedom is not free. It’s paid through blood, sweat, tears and sometimes lives, to protect this country and its freedoms.” COL Staten also stated that millions of American veterans “carry the torch of freedom for all to see. When a person chooses to serve in the military, they don’t necessarily choose to serve for any gain, but for us to be able to continue to enjoy our way of life. That is why we serve. We return convinced that we’ve done something worthwhile. For us, that’s reward enough.”

 

The Forest Park High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and the event wrapped up outside COL Staten and Mayor David Lockhart escorted a wreath to be presented at the veterans memorial outside city hall.