Fort Worth leaders arrive in COVID masks, mark Memorial Day in a touching ceremony
This year’s Memorial Day ceremony was as touching as it was brief.
Fort Worth’s elected leadership on Monday gathered at “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” and “American GI” statues at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Mayor Betsy Price, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Congresswoman Kay Granger, state Sen. Beverly Powell and state Rep. Craig Goldman all wore face masks to the ceremony to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
The dignitaries briefly removed the masks before placing wreaths at the statue.
“I think it was pretty poignant, an uplifting touch,” Price said after the ceremony, when she again sported her mask. “And, it was the right thing to do.”
This year, the public wasn’t invited to the ceremony out of concern for the coronavirus, although a few dozen people could be seen visiting graves scattered throughout the grounds.
Organizers said it was the first time in 91 years the service, which is one of the oldest continually-held events of its kind in the United States, didn’t have a public audience.
The ceremony in north Fort Worth began at 6:06 p.m., when bugler Kyle Hantz played taps. That time of day is intended to be a parallel to 6-6-1944 — the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion of World War II.
U.S. Navy Captain J.R. Townsend, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, placed a larger wreath at the site, commemorating those who have died in war.
Bagpiper and retired fire captain Steve Creed played “Amazing Grace.” Navy Chaplain Randal Potter provided the benediction, offering thanks for “protection through many wars, and your protection through this viral and invisible enemy.”
The ceremony was over in about five minutes.
