Weekend brings remembrance and celebration

  • Becky Long • Clay County Progress American Legion Auxiliary member Charlotte Tilley and VFW Auxiliary member Linda Bond conduct the ceremonial placing of the wreaths on the Hayesville monument during Monday’s Memorial Day service.
    Becky Long • Clay County Progress American Legion Auxiliary member Charlotte Tilley and VFW Auxiliary member Linda Bond conduct the ceremonial placing of the wreaths on the Hayesville monument during Monday’s Memorial Day service.
  • Incoming VFW Commander John Clodfelter places the POW MIA fl ag at the memorial honor table.
    Incoming VFW Commander John Clodfelter places the POW MIA fl ag at the memorial honor table.
  • Annie Lloyd graces the audience with a song.
    Annie Lloyd graces the audience with a song.
  • Becky Long • Clay County Progress In the background, Phil Cantley and Mitchell Shields pause for prayer along with Color Guard member Tommy Hooper.
    Becky Long • Clay County Progress In the background, Phil Cantley and Mitchell Shields pause for prayer along with Color Guard member Tommy Hooper.
  • Becky Long • Clay County Progress Veterans receive recognition as they are called to stand when their branch of service is announced. Monday’s Memorial Day service drew around 100 attendees including many veterans.
    Becky Long • Clay County Progress Veterans receive recognition as they are called to stand when their branch of service is announced. Monday’s Memorial Day service drew around 100 attendees including many veterans.
    Gracie Taylor • Clay County Progress Jacob Jones, left, and Asher Brown do the happy dance after receiving diplomas during Saturday’s graduation. The duo briefly stopped the ceremony for a spontaneous celebration on the field

    Gracie Taylor • Clay County Progress Jacob Jones, left, and Asher Brown do the happy dance after receiving diplomas during Saturday’s graduation. The duo briefly stopped the ceremony for a spontaneous celebration on the field

    By Becky Long

    Publisher

     

    Thunder showers fell across the region Saturday and again Monday morning, but in both cases, the rain subsided in time and blue skies prevailed for Hayesville High School graduation and Memorial Day Service.

    On Saturday, about 84 graduates received diplomas at Frank R. Long Memorial Football stadium in front of what has been described as one of the largest crowds to attend.

    Monday’s Memorial Day Services also drew a sizable crowd to the monument in Hayesville to honor America’s war dead.

    The service was hosted by VFW Post 6812 with assistance from American Legion Post 532.

    VFW Commander Bob Bond led the service by reading a letter from U.S. Sen. and Vietnam POW John McCain.

    Bond reminded attendees: “We are here today to honor those who have defended our freedoms, our way of life and lost their lives in doing so.”

    Names of Clay County soldiers who died while serving their country were read and the Color Guard fired shots in honor of the soldiers and their sacrifices.