Corporal Jessi McCormick of Amory MS, U.S. Marine Corps (Iraq) veteran laid the wreath of remembrance of the veterans. (Tribune photo / Marissa Holiman)

While many people spent Memorial Day at the lake or by the grill or pool , others were paying tribute to honor those who have died in combat and those that continue to serve by attending grave side services throughout the nation.

One such service honoring heroes was held at the Garden Point Cemetery at Etowah.

Mayor of Etowah Bo McCollum welcomed everyone and reminded participants why of the day's special meaning.

"We have a lot to be thankful for in our great nation," said McCollum. "We are here today to pay tribute to family members and friends who died serving our great nation, and to honor all the veterans buried here, remember their loved ones and to lay the wreath of remembrance of our veterans."

Special music was led by Rev. Huey Meherg (U.S. Army veteran), pastor of the Etowah Pentecostal Church of God and wife Diane; David Hall, Etowah Baptist Church song leader (U.S. Navy veteran); and Cort Mathey. Major John Northcutt and the Rivercrest School ROTC followed with the raising of the flag. U.S. Army (Iraq) veteran Kendall Stovall led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Corporal Jessi McCormick of Amory MS, U.S. Marine Corps (Iraq) veteran and granddaughter of Bettye Wilmoth Webb laid the wreath of remembrance of the veterans. "

McCormick is the first female veteran to lay the wreath at our services, " says her great aunt Sally (Wilmoth) McMechen. "We are so proud of her."

Several members of the Wilmoth family were on hand to support McCormick, including her great uncle Bob Wilmoth.

(See separate story this issue for more about McCormick and her service in Iraq.)

U.S. Army Veteran Ronnie Miller read a letter from President George Bush that stated observation and proclamation of Memorial Day.

"Today is a day to honor not only those who have died in combat but it's a day to honor those who continue to serve. America's freedoms come at great costs," says Bush. "The brave men and women who've fought and died in the nation's service have transformed the world in unimaginable ways."

The President called on Americans to observe a "moment of remembrance" at 3 p.m. to honor those who perished fighting for freedom. The moment was observed by Major League Baseball and Amtrak trains sounded their horns and buglers played taps at cemeteries. He also asked that flags in cemeteries and in public places be flown at half-staff.

U.S. Army Veteran and American Legion Willie Lamb Post #26 Post Commander, Steve Jernigan those in attendance of the hardships of war and that each one had it's own explanation of the term.

"Depending on which war veteran you speak with - veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf and Iraq wars - they each have their own description of hardships. Some say mud, others say cold, while others say bugs and fleas. But people need to realize that there are difficulties that they go through. Things that we take for granted they face daily" said Jernigan. Jernigan went on to say that Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 and was first observed on the 30th of May when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It was originally called the Decoration Day.

Shirley Heard Mathey, Garden Point historian, informed the group about the Department of AR Heritage grant awarded to the Garden Point Cemetery in the amount of $10,569 for a proposed project that consists of mapping and identifying the gravesites using a computer program called Spatial Generations. It will allow all grave sites to be identified. It will also show cemetery listings on the National Registry of Historic Places and list historical descendants buried within the cemetery.

Jeremy Riney, a senior at Osceola High School completed the program with the playing of Taps on his trumpet.

For more information about the Garden Point Cemetery, visit http://home.centurytel.net/gardenpointce...

Event organizers reminded participants to remember the more than 150,000 U.S. troops that are stationed in Iraq today.