Rotary Club Honors Fallen Military Personnel
Thursday, May 31, 2018
During a ceremony on Warrenton’s Courthouse Square, the local community remembered members of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to the United States.

The event was presented by the Warrenton Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, with the assistance of the town of Warrenton.

Heavy rains forced the rescheduling of the ceremony from Monday. However, Chamber Executive Director Craig Hahn said that today’s date also is significant. The modern observance of Memorial Day grew out of a Day of Remembrance originally held on May 30.

Citizens gathered around the Courthouse Square memorial honoring military personnel who died in World Wars I and II. Officer M. Groves of the Warrenton Police Department and Sgt. D. Greene of the Norlina Police Department raised an American flag on the flagpole that stands sentinel over the monument before lowering the Stars and Stripes to half staff, where it remained until sundown.

 

From the left, Sgt. D. Greene of the Norlina Police Department, Officer M. Groves of the Warrenton Police Department, VFW Post 4016-Norlina Commander Charles Smiley, Warrenton Rotary Club President Roger Griesinger, Rotary Club Past President Bill King and Chamber of Commerce of Warren County Executive Director Craig Hahn.


From the left, Sgt. D. Greene of the Norlina Police Department, Warrenton Rotary Club President Roger Griesinger and Officer M. Groves of the Warrenton Police Department unfurl an American flag.


“Why are we here? To honor and thank these 86 men from Warren County,” Hahn said of those whose names are listed on the monument and the 10 Korean War and Vietnam War veterans whose names will be added.

He told those attending that the local veterans gave up the chance to come home from war, and milestones of life often taken for granted: growing old, holding a job and attending Sunday dinners with family.

“In their deaths for us, they gave us all these,” Hahn said.

He added that today’s Warren County residents can never repay those who gave their lives, but should be thankful each day for their sacrifice.

In his prayer, U.S. Navy veteran Bill King, past president of the Warrenton Rotary Club, said that soldiers gave their lives to establish and preserve the country’s freedoms. He noted that the Bible states that man has no greater love than to die for another person.

“I thank the men who gave their lives for us,” King said.