Memorial Day Observance at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Spotlights ‘The Sacrifice for Freedom’

By  //  May 27, 2018

Missing Man Table and Honors will be presented

The Support Committee at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery are co-hosting the Memorial Day Observance to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

BREVARD COUNTY • SCOTTSMOOR, FLORIDA – The Support Committee at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery are co-hosting the Memorial Day Observance on May 28 at 11;30 a.m. to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“This being our third Memorial Day Observance, we are so pleased to announce it will include our first flyover,” said Marylou Wade, Chairperson of the 2018 Memorial Day Committee.

“With a focus on the Vietnam War era, I’m happy, beyond words, that we were able to secure a Huey helicopter for the flyover. The Huey is the icon for this war.”

This year’s theme “The Sacrifice for Freedom” encompasses not only those who gave the ultimate sacrifice but also recognizes the surviving veterans, their families, the Missing In Action and Prisoners of War, while highlighting the Vietnam War era.

Patriotic music will be performed by the Brevard Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will emcee the event to an anticipated crowd of 600-700.

Frank Anton, CWO-4, U.S. Army Retired and former Vietnam POW, 1968 to 1973 will be the guest speaker. Anton retired from the Army as a CWO-4 after 21 years of service. He then flew 727s for American Airlines until retiring in 1997.

Brigadier General Wayne R. Monteith from Patrick Air Force Base will be the keynote speaker. Gen. Monteith is the commander of the 45th Space Wing and Director of Eastern Range.

The Missing Man Table and Honors will be presented. Set for six, the empty chairs represent Americans who were, or are missing, from each of the services — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and civilians.

The program will end with a Vietnam 50th Anniversary pinning ceremony. Any Vietnam veteran who has not received the Vietnam 50thAnniversary pin will be pinned by General Monteith, Frank Anton or Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Director Don Murphy.

The Support Committee at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery are co-hosting the Memorial Day Observance to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.