Ivor patriotic for Memorial Day

Published 1:11 pm Saturday, May 30, 2015

George Atkins and his daughter, Jessica Atkins, provide music for the Memorial Day service. Ivor Vice Mayor Tommy Pittman is seated in the background. -- Merle Monahan | The Tidewater News

George Atkins and his daughter, Jessica Atkins, provide music for the Memorial Day service. Ivor Vice Mayor Tommy Pittman is seated in the background. — Merle Monahan | The Tidewater News

by Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR
Amidst dozens of American Flags and Memorial Day banners, nearly 50 relatives and friends of those buried at the Ivor Cemetery gathered for the annual service this past Sunday to honor the memories of their loved ones.

Ivor Vice Mayor Tommy Pittman welcomed the audience at the beginning of the short service by thanking those in attendance for “remembering our relatives and especially our veterans for the contributions they made to our town, the community and our country.”

Following Pittman’s remarks, music was provided by Ivor resident guitarist George Atkins and his daughter, Jessica. The duo sang several hymns during the service.

Jay Bradshaw was the featured speaker. The former Ivor resident recalled his years growing up in the small town. Bradshaw’s theme centered on the closeness of the community.

“Whenever there was a problem, the entire town was there to help,” he said. “That is also true today.”

Ivor Baptist pastor Don Roberts, himself a U.S. Navy veteran, both opened and closed the service with prayer.