Fallen soldiers honored at Manasota Memorial Park
Local fallen soldiers were honored Saturday morning at the annual Memorial Day weekend service at the Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton.
Betty Shull attended the annual memorial for the first time alone, since her father had died in the past.
“This is the first time without him,” Shull said solemnly afterward as she held back tears. “It’s a little hard.”
William Shull, 98, had served in the U.S. Army during World War II, she said.
A few dozen gathered on the sunny field, taking time to honor their local fallen soldiers, at the Memorial Day observance at Manasota Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1221 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Edward Barnshaw, past commander of the State Disabled American Veterans, delivered the keynote address.
“The heroes we honor today come from all walks of life but they all shared several fundamental qualities,” Barnshaw said. “They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity, all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself.
“Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battle fields. Many didn’t volunteer. They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were called to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Barnshaw said. “They were ordinary people that responded in an extraordinary way in extreme times. They rose to the nation’s cause because they want to protect a nation that has given them and us so much.”
They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were called to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Edward Barnshaw
Barnshaw went on to invalidate the old saying “that old soldiers never die, they just fade away ” saying that in fact soldiers, both old and young as well as men and women, do die defending the country.
“They fight in popular and unpopular wars, in countries all over the world, They carry the American flag and the ideals and values for which it stands in every corner of the world,” Barnshaw said. “They don’t go for glory or honor or fame. They go because their duly elected officials who represent the American people, including you and I, asked them to place themselves there.”
Soldiers sacrifice family, friends and often times their own lives, he added.
“They fight for freedom, however, freedom is not free,” Barnshaw said. “In the last 100 years, our country has lost 700,000 brave men and women, warriors who all sacrificed their lives to protect ours.”
He referred to an New Testament scripture saying, “There is no greater love than to to give your life for another.”
“Our fallen comrades have demonstrated that love and that is what Memorial Day is all about,” Barnshaw said.
Following Barnshaw’s address, Charlotte Oliver of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #312, and Lois Farrell, Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxillary Unit #18, did the ceremonial laying of the wreaths.
Before concluding with the 21 gun salute and taps by the Honor Guard, Father Joseph Connolly, of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, gave the closing benediction.
“We honor that service and sacrifice today and carry it forward for our children to honor,” Connolly said. “Freedom and democracy are the results of all of the most honorable this country has produced. Today we stand to remember the most honorable among us, who we must continue to carry the burden of their service, lest we lose sight of what true freedom is.”
Jessica De Leon: 941-745-7049, @JDeLeon1012
This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Fallen soldiers honored at Manasota Memorial Park."