Tullahoma remembered its fallen heroes Friday morning during a program at South Jackson Performing Arts Center, the annual event forced inside by rainy weather.

The event featured the presentation of colors by the Tullahoma Fire Department and a presentation of patriotic melodies by Dr. Hope Koehler and Lisa Maurer. American Legion Commander Albert Hass led the Pledge of Allegiance and First Methodist Church Pastor Kris Roberts led the invocation.

“Memorial Day should never be just a day on the calendar or just the unoffi cial beginning of summer,” proclaimed keynote speaker BGen. J. Bart Burton (Ret). “Instead it should be a sacred obligation to pause the nation’s breath to give honor to those who gave theirs for us.”

Burton went on to say that one of the best ways to honor those who have fallen is to be good citizens and to teach the next generation about the sacrifice.

“They don’t ask for hollow words, they ask us to live as citizens worthy (their sacrifice),” he said. “Let’s teach our children that freedom is not inherited like property, it is entrusted to each generation for safe-keeping.”

Community Engagement Officer Lyle Russell followed Burton and officially dedicated the new foot bridge at History Park to ‘the greatest ranger that ever was’ Thomas Gwynn – who passed away recently at the age of 106. Gwynn was decorated in both World War II and the Korean War, receiving numerous commendations and Purple Hearts. The bridge was built by employees of the city of Tullahoma to make access to History Park safer from Atlantic over a treacherous drainage ditch.

“Thomas Gwynn served his country in D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Normandy and witnessed victory in Europe,” he read from the mayor’s proclamation naming the bridge. “He was captured in Korean two times and escaped captivity both times.”

Sandy Sebren of the Shady Grove Garden Club followed Russell and revealed how the club has overseen the Veterans Walk at History Park, adding pavers each year honoring those who have served. She noted that money raised from the sales help provide scholarships to local students. This year’s recipients were Elijah Moorehead of Tullahoma High School and Bailey Dunn of Moore County High School.

AEDC Commander Grant Mizell finished the observance before Taps was played by Liz French of Tullahoma High School.

“(It is) a sacred national duty to have a profound remembrance of those who answered the nation’s call but did not return,” he said. “Those who gave up their futures so we could all have a bright future.”