Tue. Nov 5th, 2024

Memorial Day service honors the fallen at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery

By Griffin DeMarrais

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Amidst a sea of fluttering flags and somber reflections, the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery hosted a Memorial Day service to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

It was a chance to remind us of the bravery and selflessness displayed by those who gave their life in defense of our freedom.

Keynote speaker James Lindsey, a veteran himself, said you see many Memorial Day sales and celebrations, but that is not what this day is about.

“Memorial Day is not a celebration, but a tribute to those who never got a chance to take their uniform off,” Lindsey said.

At one point, Lindsey asked the crowd to all stand and honor the WWII veterans who came to Monday’s event, one of those being Robert Bahrat.

The 98-year-old WWII veteran spent a good chunk of his morning walking around the cemetery and putting little flags next to headstones because he said it was the right thing to do.

“You have to give recognition, don’t let them go out there and not be recognized in some way or another just because they can’t say thank you, that is the way it goes,” Bahrat said.

He stressed we need to honor these people, not just on Memorial Day, but every day.

“Well, you have to remember those that did not come back, I guess is the main thing. They did their job,” Bahrat said.

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