By Joanie Morris

Salisbury PostKANNAPOLIS — More than 100 people gathered in Kannapolis to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country on Monday afternoon, as the breeze blew the flags of the 50 states and the United States flag, presented by the A.L. Brown High School JROTC.

While there were many speakers and presentations, the common thread through all of the Memorial Day service was the same — honoring those who have died for the United States and the troops currently serving.

"We gather here to remember all those who have served and died for the freedoms we enjoy," said Guest speaker Mayor Robert "Bob" Misenheimer. Misenheimer, who served in the Korean Conflict, told various stories of heroism from many different conflicts the United States has been involved in.

"This is a unique opportunity to not only honor the dead, but to pause and say thank you to those who have and are currently serving and to their comrades who are missing in action," he added.

"History records that it is the politicians, and those in power, who start wars and that it is the men and women of their armed forces who pay the price of those wars," Misenheimer said. "It is a price paid for in separation, stress, blood, suffering, anguish and sometimes death by those who have and are currently serving in our country's armed forces and their families."

Norris Dearmon, who served during World War II, told about the history of the holiday, and read a name of every man who was killed or missing in action during World War II. Those men's pictures were displayed on boards at the front of the audience.

After Dearmon read from the list of names, the Kannapolis Police Department provided a rifle salute to the soldiers as "Taps" played over loudspeakers. Many wiped tears from their eyes during the program.

Misenheimer had one more statement for the citizens of the United States who enjoy freedoms fought for by the men and women of the armed forces.

"What do you say to them when they make the ultimate sacrifice?" Misenheimer asked. "Whether this war is a popular one or not, the sacrifice is the same for the more than one million who have given their lives. ...

"For that we owe those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces our undying gratitude, honor, respect and support, not only on this Memorial Day, but every day we as a nation enjoy the fruits of their efforts, sacrifices and service."

Contact Joanie Morris at 704-932-3336 or jmorris@kannapoliscitizen.com.

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