HUNTERTOWN CEMETERY, once a part of the historic African American community of Huntertown before the construction of the Bluegrass Parkway geographically severed it, was the site of a Memorial Day celebration. Sioux Finney, a local historian who, along with former residents and descendants of Huntertown, has been instrumental in creating the Huntertown Community Interpretive Park, led the group in the service, including the reading of the names of Huntertown veterans who gave their lives in service to America in World War I, buried there and in other cemeteries. The cemetery also includes a few known graves of Huntertown residents who fought for their and their families› freedom in the Civil War as members of the United States Colored Troops. Woodford Post 67 of the American Legion donated the new flagpole and provided a bugler. Finney led the crowd in an a cappella singing of the National Anthem, while Judge-Executive James Kay gave brief remarks that were essentially a recitation of Lincoln›s Gettysburg Address, slightly modified with Woodford County references. (Photo by Scott White)
THE VERSAILLES MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE was held Monday in the American Legion Post on Main Street due to threatening rain. During his keynote address, Capt. Logan Forrest, pictured, spoke about the importance of honoring our combat veterans who paid the «ultimate price.» Forrest used a small flag given to him by the Kentucky Governor›s Office when he first deployed, and he has carried it with him since. Reciting the lyrics of the Johnny Cash song “This Ragged Old Flag,” Forrest spoke eloquently of the meaning of the flag, what it stood for and emblemized, while reminding the audience of the freedoms current and veteran military personnel stand for on behalf of all Americans. Versailles Mayor Laura Dake and Post Commander Nathan Lauderdale also gave remarks during the event. (Photo by Scott White)