Tony Cartlidge was dressed for the occasion recently to honor those who offered the “last full measure of devotion” to our country, as President Abraham Lincoln famously declared.
Cartlidge wore his wool, Marine Corps dress-blue uniform, complete with a white cap, service decorations and white gloves, to the Memorial Day event at Veterans’ Memorial Park, in contrast to many who were dressed casually in patriotic or military-themed casual attire.
“I had a lot of friends of mine who died in Vietnam. I wanted to honor their memories,” Cartlidge, a resident of the Village of Woodbury, said.” Cartlidge additionally says he served with the 5th Marine Regiment in Vietnam in 1968, notably during the Tet Offensive.
“The fact that we didn’t get welcomed home (from Vietnam) still hurts, but the fact that so many people came out today to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice lifts my spirits,” Cartlidge, who was accompanied by his wife, Cindy, said.
Speakers at the ceremony echoed this sentiment, urging for remembrance of those who gave their lives in combat to safeguard America.
At the opening of the ceremony, Toni Miller, chairman of the Veterans’ Memorial Park board, said, “This is a very humble day in the life of America,” noting that the weekend and this specific event were to commemorate “those of our comrades that we were with and fought with who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Miller later added, at the opening prayer, “Today, we continue to pay tribute to those fallen comrades who you have taken home to be with you, to your home, where there is no war, no pain, no suffering. Only your peace…. Let us never forget.”
The ceremony was full of glitz and glamour.
The event was opened by the Veterans’ Memorial Park Honor Guard, who were followed by the Sounds of Scotland bagpipe band, who played patriotic music at various points throughout the service and indicated the approaching end with “Amazing Grace.”
Following the sound of Scotland, the American flag was delivered by the Jewish War Veterans Post 352 color guard, who were followed by representatives from each branch of the military, as well as flags from 11 veteran groups active in The Villages. A total of 19,000 veterans live in The Villages.
Meanwhile, a military helicopter was hovering above the service. The chopper, whose appearance was planned by the Band of Brothers, a veterans’ group based in The Villages, flew over the park a few times.
U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster’s community relations manager, Cindy Brown, read comments penned by the Clermont Republican.
“Our freedom came at the highest cost. It was purchased with the lives of fallen soldiers and with the tears of those who were forever changed by the loss of a loved one…. It is our solemn responsibility to remember them and give thanks that when their nation called, they answered with a bravery, loyalty and determination that withstood the greatest test,” Webster’s statement said.
“We owe them a debt we can never repay,” Webster added.
The keynote speech was given by Heath Davenport, a member of the Tri-County Women Veterans and a resident of the Village of St. James.
Davenport, a former Army lieutenant colonel who served in Operation Desert Storm, thanked the veterans and those in attendance for “getting it.”
“You understand what this day is really for,” she said, in contrast to many who think of Memorial Day as the start of summer, a day off, a shopping opportunity or a barbecue opportunity.
“I really appreciate that you’re celebrating it here, that you truly do get it,” said Davenport.
In her closing speech, Davenport, her voice breaking with emotion, quoted an anonymous source: “Our flag doesn’t fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, coast guardsman who died defending it.”