‘Forever indebted.’ Hundreds gather for Memorial Day service in Fort Worth
About 500 people joined together at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth on Monday to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.
The morning service took place under turbulent winds and a dark and cloudy sky, but that didn’t inhibit residents from gathering, greeting old and young veterans, donning red, white and blue attire, and applauding Gold Star families.
Each year since 1929, the Mount Olivet Cemetery has hosted a Memorial Day service for fallen soldiers, but in the last two years, the services were conducted in private because of COVID-19 concerns.
On Monday, the 93rd service at the cemetery was conducted next to the “Spirit of the American Doughboy” and “American G.I.” statues honoring “those who fought and died to guard our nation’s ideals of liberty and freedom.”
The ceremony included a flyover by the 301st Fighter Wing, a placing of wreaths by various veteran and patriotic organizations, a 21-gun salute and a service motorcade.
Captain Mark McLean, commander of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, said a key component of the country’s greatness lies in the ability to remember and honor fallen soldiers.
“Today every veteran, and the families of those who gave their lives for our country’s freedoms can be certain,” he said. “The nation you serve and the people you defended are not only extremely proud of you but forever indebted.”
Thousands of Texans have sacrificed their lives during military service throughout the country’s history, and more than 600 Texans have given their lives in wars since 2001 during operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.
McLean highlighted several of these Texans, including Jesus Medellin, who was the first casualty from Tarrant County in the war in Iraq.
“The heroes that we have lost ... represent the best of us,” McLean said. “Coming from every corner of this great nation, every background and every walk of life.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley presented city and county proclamations honoring their service.
Whitley, who has served as Tarrant County Judge since 2007, said Monday’s crowd was one of the largest he had seen.
Parker said they gathered Monday with the understanding that freedom is a costly and fragile gift.
“We are freedom’s caretakers,” she said. “And as such, we’re entrusted with the sacred duty to protect, preserve and pass freedom on to the next generation.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2022 at 3:52 PM.
