FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lee Spell, City Manager
912-729-5613
LSpell@KingslandGeorgia.com
The City of Kingsland Remembers and Honors this June
Sweet Summertime is upon us, which means months full of warm vacations, backyard barbeques, and overall fun in the sunny Georgia weather. Before we dive straight into these summer joys however, the City of Kingsland would like to take a moment, and pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country, as well as, their families. They have sacrificed much, for our freedom to enjoy these leisurely summer days.
As you venture throughout the city during these summer months, you will see flags up and down local roads, such as Highway 17 and Highway 40. These flags are placed in the days leading up to Memorial Day, the holiday that traditionally kicks-off the summer. A day about more than just barbeques and swimming pools; Memorial Day is a time that we honor all of the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day began during the American Civil War, when citizens decorated graves with flowers and or wreaths to remember those that fought and did not make it home. In similar fashion, these flags lining the streets of Kingsland, represent so many different things to each individual who sees them. We remember those from our own community that have sacrificed; downtown Kingsland is home to our Veterans Memorial Park. This park features statues and memorial bricks honoring the different military branches as well as local veterans. Mayor Grayson Day reflects on our local heroes, “I hold a great honor for the men and women of our community who made the ultimate sacrifice, to secure the freedoms that we exercise daily. Memorial Day is a time of reflection and gratitude to these individuals for what they have given us. I’m reminded of a quote from Emily Potter, ‘Heroes never die. They live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who follow in their footsteps.’ It is up to each of us in this community, to ensure that our heroes never die but that we honor their legacy daily.”
One way that you can help honor this day is to wear a certain color: Red Poppy. Yes, this comes from a poem that was written by a brigade surgeon that served in WWI. The poem was written after the sergeant saw poppies blooming on an otherwise grim battlefield.
“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.