Members of the community braved the sweltering heat Saturday morning to attend the Waycross Exchange Club’s America 250 Field of Honor opening ceremony.
After the near two-hour program concluded, members of the audience dispersed among the flags, many looking for their friends or family members’ dedicated flag. Each had their own reason for attending.
Riley Walker, Waycross native, has multiple veteran family members, including his mother, uncle, cousins, and both grandfathers.
“I think it’s a really special day, and I’m just honored to be a part of celebrating it,” Walker said, “because 250, the next milestone like that will be in 50 more years. I’m just so thankful for it, I’m thankful for what God’s done here, and the blessings he’s given us here.”
Exchange Club member Jackie Hayes had two veteran brothers, as well as her son-in-law’s father recognized in the field.
“This is beautiful,” she said of the event. “It’s just magnificent, such an honor to do this for the veterans and first responders, and whomever you want to do in memory, honor or recognition.
Tim Akins played a variety of songs on his bagpipes during the Field of Honor program. Photo by ETHAN REDDISH
“We live in the greatest country in the world and we’re just so thankful. We just ask that God continues to bless us and take us through.”
Ware County Commissioner Leonard Burse was also was present and visited the flag dedicated to his son, retired from the military.
“I think this is a great event,” he said. “Our country has been through a lot, still going through a lot, and I’m just glad to be here today to support this effort, the people at the Exchange Club and the program they put on. I think it was very nice.”
Commissioner Burse ended by saying, “We’re glad to be Ware County, we’re glad to be Americans.”
Cecil Dotson, retired Air Force reservist, visited to see the flags dedicated both to himself, and his father. “It was a lovely event,” Dotson said. “I’m proud to be a part of America. It was really nice. I’m glad they thought about us and doing something for the veterans.”
The Field of Honor flags will remain on display at the fairgrounds until Saturday, July 11.
