Area residents will mark Memorial Day with virtual and in-person events.
Memorial Day is May 31, and its purpose is much different than Veterans Day, which is observed Nov. 11.
“A lot of people don’t know the difference,” said Dr. James Brady III, an Army and Marine Corps veteran and member of the Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, who has organized the Augusta Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances since 2014.
MORE: Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Coming To Augusta
Memorial Day honors those military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in service to their country, said Brady, while Veterans Day honors those who have served but are still living.
For the past two years, pandemic conditions have led to a virtual ceremony.
In years past, Memorial Day was marked with a ceremony at the Veterans of All Wars monument on Broad Street.
[adrotate banner=”22″]
This year, the ceremony has been recorded and will be available for viewing at 9 a.m. May 31 on the Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars’ YouTube channel, Brady said. Local chapters of military organizations also plan to link the event on their social media pages, he said.
The video will feature remarks by Maj. Gen. Neil Hersey, Fort Gordon’s commanding general, a military gun salute, a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” and several poetic readings including retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Clark’s version of Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag.”
The Aiken Memorial Day Parade will be May 29. Photo courtesy the Aiken Memorial Day parade website 
The Aiken Memorial Day parade will be Saturday, May 29. Photo courtesy Aiken Memorial Day parade website.
Other area observances include the annual parade in Aiken. The Aiken County Veterans Council sponsors the event which will begin in downtown Aiken at 10 a.m. May 29, according to the parade website.
The Parris Island Marine Corps Band and the South Carolina 246th Army National Guard Band are scheduled to participate in the parade, as well as members of local veterans’ groups, according to the parade’s Facebook page.
Photojournalism: Magnolia Cemetery’s History
On Saturday, a Memorial Day luminaria event will be held at Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen, Ga., according to the state park website.
“This event is to honor our fallen soldiers,” the website said.
Luminarias will be placed along Camp Lawton Field and lit during a 7:30 p.m. ceremony. The event is $5 plus $5 for parking. For more information, call (478) 982-1660.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”38″]
