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    Deaconess Henderson Hospital Advisory Board gives $70,000 to local nonprofits

    Chill out at the Friends of the Library membership meeting July 12

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    Two new honorees added to Juneteenth’s impact sign display

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    Wind turbine ordinance, which would be the first in Kentucky, is key to what ultimately occurs in Cordelio project

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    Macy talks socks,1978 UK champs and more during author visit to promote his book

    Alliance dedicates new Henderson County Mine

    Alliance dedicates new Henderson County Mine

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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

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

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    2025 Handy Fest photo gallery

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    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

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    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

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    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

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    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

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    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

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    Deaconess Henderson Hospital Advisory Board gives $70,000 to local nonprofits

    Chill out at the Friends of the Library membership meeting July 12

    Two new honorees added to Juneteenth’s impact sign display

    Two new honorees added to Juneteenth’s impact sign display

    Wind turbine ordinance, which would be the first in Kentucky, is key to what ultimately occurs in Cordelio project

    Wind turbine ordinance, which would be the first in Kentucky, is key to what ultimately occurs in Cordelio project

    Macy talks socks,1978 UK champs and more during author visit to promote his book

    Macy talks socks,1978 UK champs and more during author visit to promote his book

    Alliance dedicates new Henderson County Mine

    Alliance dedicates new Henderson County Mine

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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

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    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

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    Grants available from Deaconess Henderson Hospital Community Program Fund

    Hospital CAO: Deaconess Henderson will not close

    Enjoy the fresh taste of summer

    Enjoy the fresh taste of summer

    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

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

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Home News Local

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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