‘Worth fighting for … worth dying for’

Citizens joined veterans at two ceremonies Monday to honor soldiers who have given their lives for the United States on Memorial Day.

The first was held at the VFW Memorial Park, with full honor guard salute and Taps for the fallen. The guest speaker was Matt Ramey, the District 2 Judge Advocate for the Georgia VFW.

Ramey, a resident of Mt. Airy, served more than 18 years in the U.S. Military. That time of service included five years as an avionics technician in the U.S. Navy and 13 ½ years as an engineer in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Ramey served and was wounded in Afghanistan. He earned the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, along with several campaign medals and decorations. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge for actions taken in Afghanistan, and he also served in the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I ask you to join me in not only remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of this country, but to truly reflect on their legacy,” Ramey said.

“There is no other nation on the face of this Earth that has paid the price that we have paid in the cause of freedom. Nowhere in the pages of history has anyone ever done what we’ve done to not only sustain our freedom, but to protect the freedom of others.”

Memorial Day has its origins in Decoration Day all the way back in 1868 in the wake of the Civil War, which cost 215,000 lives combined on both sides. Ramey stressed the importance of teaching young people of what the sacrifices that have been made mean to their freedom.

“The lives of our fallen soldiers – our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – and comrades were not lives lost in vain or anguish,” Ramey said. “They contributed to the evolution of America as we know it today – a free nation, a strong nation … a nation that stands tallest when it stands together.”

“While we mourn the lives lost, we should also celebrate how those lives were lived and be grateful,” Ramey said. “This is the land of the free, and it’s ensured by generations who believed America was worth fighting for … and worth dying for.”

Later Monday evening, VFW Commander Bill Miles hosted a second gathering at the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville.

Miles pointed out that the corner where the memorial sits was where many young men caught the Trailways bus to go off into the service back in the day.

“For many of them, it was the last time their feet would touch Habersham County soil,” Miles said.