Alabama National Cemetery hosts moving Memorial Day observance

Published 5:57 pm Wednesday, May 28, 2025

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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Alabama National Cemetery honored the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen heroes through a series of heartfelt and solemn events during its 17th annual Memorial Day observance, culminating in a powerful ceremony on Monday, May 26.

The weeklong tribute began on Thursday, May 22, with the Tribute to American Patriots Ceremony. Designed to honor veterans interred at the cemetery over the past year who did not receive military honors at the time of their burial, the ceremony featured a reading of names with the ringing of a bell for each, the folding of the American flag by Army soldiers and a performance of taps by Navy veteran Matt Horn of Bugles Across America. The service concluded with a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace” by a local student volunteer.

On Saturday, May 24, hundreds of volunteers—including numerous youth and veteran groups—gathered for the Flag Placement Ceremony, placing more than 11,000 American flags at each gravesite, the columbarium and the Memorial Wall. The brief but moving ceremony was emceed by Eagle Scout Sam Woodall and included an invocation by Navy veteran and Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery Chaplain Duke Martin, patriotic music by Shayla Wise and a historic reflection on Memorial Day.

In addition, a group of veteran bikers from the Brookwood/Vance area led by Bill Hartley conducted a Memorial Fundraising Ride, placing flags at the columbarium and making a generous donation to the SCALNC.

Despite overcast skies and the threat of rain, nearly 1,000 attendees gathered on Memorial Day morning for the 17th annual Memorial Day ceremony, where military families, local dignitaries, veterans and supporters paid tribute to those who gave their lives for freedom.

The event began with a processional ride by the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders, followed by a flyover from pilot Jorge Barnard. Though cloud cover obscured the aircraft, attendees described hearing the flyover as “the sound of freedom.”

In keeping with SCALNC’s mission to engage young people in remembrance, Prestley Skelton, a senior at Jasper High School and the 2025 Alabama State American Legion Oratorical Contest winner, served as the event’s emcee. The invocation was again led by Martin, with music from Rob Robinson and vocal trio Homeland, whose performance included “God Bless the USA” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Retired Lt. Gen. A.C. Roper, former Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command and former Birmingham police chief, delivered the keynote address. Roper spoke of the meaning of sacrifice and honored Gold Star families, including sharing a personal story of honoring fallen Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Winslow by posthumously naming him an honorary Birmingham police officer.

Following Roper’s remarks, the Wreath Laying Ceremony featured representatives from each military branch and several Gold Star organizations. Each wreath was placed by family members of the fallen and escorted by Civil Air Patrol cadets. The ceremony closed with a rifle salute from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at Maxwell Air Force Base, taps by Patrick McCaghren and a cannon salute by the Alabama Division of Reenactors.

SCALNC Chairman Eldon Woodie emphasized the significance of the occasion.

“Freedom is not free, and we owe a debt of honor to both the heroes who sacrificed their lives to win and maintain our freedom and to their families for their sacrifice,” Woodie said.

Woodie further described the importance of rallying together to support veterans both living and deceased.

“Our community cares about our veterans and it cares about their service and their families,” Woodie said. “The amount of support that this cemetery gets is just tremendous… We just keep celebrating and recognizing those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we have.”

The observance will conclude on Saturday, May 31, when volunteers return to respectfully remove and store the thousands of flags placed during the week’s events.