Retired Col. speaks at Southview
Published 11:34 am Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Diane Leonard, left, places flowers on the grave of her son, Corneil Leonard, as family member Kia Vinson, and her husband Ivan Leonard look on. — Frank A. Davis | Tidewater News
FRANKLIN
A host of community representatives were present on Monday to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Southview Cemetery, sponsored by the cemetery’s committee.
Felecia Briggs, president of the committee, served as the mistress of ceremony. After the posting on colors by the Franklin honor guard, veteran Jesse Chambliss gave the invocation. A moment of silence for fallen and decreased military members and committee members followed the invocation. Musical selections were given by Minister Blaine Britt on his trumpet. Committee member Melissa Mabry next read a poem.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Regina Haley-Grant was the keynote speaker for the Southview Cemetery Memorial Day. The former Franklin resident spoke about the importance of remembering those who had served to maintain the American way of life. — Frank A. Davis | Tidewater News
Felecia Briggs introduced the keynote speaker of the day, Retired U.S. Army Col. Regina Haley-Grant, a former resident of Franklin who now is employed by the federal government as the director of installation services at the Defense Supply Center, Richmond. During her inspiring address, she spoke of the importance of men and women who have served this country during all wars that allow us to have the freedom of our American way of life.
She read during her address a poem, “They Did Their Share.” The program closed by allowing those in attendance to stand and give names of family members who have served or are serving in the military and for those that have been called from labor to rest.
