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    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

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    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

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    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

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    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

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    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

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    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    BRIEFS: HCPL hosts Veterans Resource Fair; City High class of ’75 reunion; HPD wants help finding car thieves

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Trending Tags

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

    Trending Tags

  • Entertainment
    • All
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    • Movie
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    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

  • Lifestyle
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    • Food
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    • Travel
    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

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Taylor reminds Memorial Day service attendees real reason for holiday

Vince Tweddell by Vince Tweddell
May 28, 2024
in Local
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Taylor reminds Memorial Day service attendees real reason for holiday

Sarah Whitledge Taylor was the featured speaker at Henderson’s 77th Memorial Day service on Monday. She asked that people for one day each year remember the real reason for the Memorial Day holiday—to honor soldiers who’ve served and died for the nation. (Hendersonian Photo/Vince Tweddell)

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Sarah Whitledge Taylor lifted a folded flag above the podium at the beginning of her speech at Henderson’s 77th annual Memorial Day service and said that it was the flag that was draped over the coffin of her son, Spc. David Taylor, who died March 29, 2012.

Her son died in an ammunition explosion during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The flag is a remembrance of him, but also thousands of others who were killed in action and thousands more that are still missing in action in wars ranging from World War I to the War in Afghanistan and the War on Terror, she said.

Taylor, the immediate past national president of the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization that supports mothers who’ve lost a son or daughter in war, asked only that those gathered for the service in Central Park honor those who’ve served and those who’ve died in war one day each year.

“Never say happy Memorial Day again,” she also asked, because it’s not a happy day for those mothers who will never see their son or daughter who died in service again. She said that saying, “Have a meaningful Memorial Day,” is more appropriate.

She said mothers who’ve lost a child in war go to bed and have trouble sleeping and when they wake, they hope that what they dreamed was just a nightmare. But it is reality.

“Every day is Memorial Day for us,” she said, adding that many only have pictures, stories and memories, some of which are beginning to fade.

Taylor ended her speech with remarks especially for Vietnam War veterans, whom she said were not treated appropriately upon their return from war decades ago.

“I am ashamed for how people treated you,” she said.

She said those veterans, however, later stood up for proper treatment of returning soldiers and that is a testament to their resilience.

“You will not be forgotten,” she said.

The Traveling Kentucky Vietnam Wall was set up on the courthouse lawn from Friday through Monday as a part of Memorial Day observance in Henderson this year. (Photo by Debbie Scott)

The service this year marked a change, albeit a sad one. Lt. Col. Heather Toews (U.S. Air Force, retired) took over the role of emcee after Lt. Col Jim Smith, who had acted as the emcee for the past 14 years, passed away weeks ago. His death was marked by a moment of silence and an empty seat at the service.

An aide for U.S. Rep. James Comer presented letters of appreciation to Jim Hanley, the commander of American Legion Post 40 honor guard; Ken Christopher, the immediate past president of the Henderson Veterans Memorial Foundation; and Smith’s family. The American Legion post and the veterans memorial foundation work hand-in-hand to set up the more than 6,100 crosses in the park and organize the Memorial Day service each year.

Additionally, Henderson Mayor Brad Staton spoke and told the crowd that city officials and veterans memorial foundation officials have begun talks to build a veterans park, which would include permanent displays and would also be a place to erect the thousands of crosses each May.

Among Toews’ comments, she mentioned one Henderson family in particular. The Black family had five brothers who served in 20th century wars and now have five crosses erected in their honor. The brothers include the Rev. John Samuel Black, James “Rail” Black, Joseph “Bish” Black, Willie Black, Jr. and Tommy Black. Another brother, Charles Black, served in four branches of the military and is still alive, Toews said.

“The Black family lived for it, and they died for it,” she said.

The service also included the Missing Man ceremony, wreath placement in honor of each branch of the military, musical selections of each branch’s song, prayers and a rifle salute, among other events. It ended with the playing of “Taps.”

Sunday night storms and winds caused about 400 crosses from the Central Park display to be blown down. Officials notified different organizations to help re-set the crosses, including the Henderson County Detention Center which dispatched a group of inmates to help. Those crosses were re-set early in the morning, well before the Monday service began at 10 a.m.

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Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell is the founder, publisher and editor of the Hendersonian.

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