Enterprise remembers those that sacrificed

Over 300 people came together at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens to celebrate Memorial Day and to remember those who sacrificed their lives in combat or as a result of wounds suffered in combat on Monday, May 30.

The 15th Alabama Re-enactors with the Camp 911 Coffee County Rangers also performed the Canteen Salute, a special salute honoring the fallen soldier.

On Friday, May 27, volunteers and veteran groups placed over 1,100 flags on veteran's graves, an event named "Flags In," according to event organizer Travis Parker.

Parker said it was important to remember the sacrifices of soldiers not only during Memorial Day, but also throughout the year.

"I was an Army veteran, and a lot of people I know passed during the war or directly after Vietnam," Parker said. "It's something you should think about all the time."

During the Memorial Day ceremony, five Korean War veterans were honored with quilts from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

According to Jackie McKinstry, Foundation Coordinator for South Alabama, there have been 137,680 quilts given to veterans since 2003. About 145 quilts have been given since 2013 here in the Wiregrass, McKinstry said.

This year's recipients are Joseph Kozlowski, Glyn "Rufus" Martin, Gordon Nichols, Carlie Bryant Jr. and Robert Dykman. Nichols is also a World War II and Vietnam War veteran, and Bryant is also a Vietnam veteran.

As a veteran, Nichols said he sympathizes with those who have lost a loved one in combat.

"I think everyone that came that has not been here before, I think it opened their eyes, and they learned something new," Nichols said. "People never know the grieve that a parent has when they lose a child. My heart always goes out to anyone (in that situation).

Ken Conneway lost his son, Army Ranger Sgt. Timothy Conneway, in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. Conneway spoke during the event about the importance of Memorial Day to his family.

Conneway said that June 23, 2003, was the day his family's world was changed. That was the day they learned their son was killed in action.

"Since then, Memorial Day has been an extremely special day to us," Conneway said. "Basically, when my wife and I (celebrate) Memorial Day, not only do we think about the soldiers, we think about those families: mothers and fathers, husbands and wives left behind."

Haley McInnis, the American Legion Scholarship winner, said she hopes to honor the sacrifice of soldiers every day.

"Each of you here today that are veterans or service members, please know that I will spend each of my days in remembrance of the daily sacrifices our military and their families make for me," McInnis said. "It is my goal to encourage my peers and to share this often forgotten revelation."