Breckenridge crowd shows up for annual Memorial Day ceremony, despite drizzle
The cool drizzle didn’t stop Breckenridge and Stephens County residents from showing up Monday morning, May 25, for the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Monument on the courthouse lawn.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7767 and Auxiliary hosted the service, with awnings and umbrellas protecting the guests from the rain.
Dwain “Pops” Brannan plays taps at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Post Commander Roy James led the call to order, and Rush Walker led the Pledge of Allegiance. Todd Weger lowered the flag, and Trey McDuff gave the invocation.
The Rev. Dannie Lee provided the Memorial Day message and benediction.
At the end of the service, Kenneth “Pops” Brannan performed taps.
Flowers and a wreath were provided by the following organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Senior Citizens of Breckenridge, County Commissioners Court of Stephens County, Breckenridge InterBank, and the Masonic Lodge.
VFW Auxiliary President Russell Blue read aloud the names of the local veterans who died in the past year and whose names were added to the monument. Additionally, the names of several veterans who died in previous years were added to the memorial.
Those veterans were:
2019
William D. Andrews
Ernest D. Arnold Sr.
Gary Boyd
Hollis C. Brewer Jr.
James H. Fynboh
Johnnie H. Graves
Otto James Hall
Billy Clyde King
Dr. J.T. Lawrence
William “Bill” D. Layne
Travis W. McElyea
C. L. Miller
Tommy D. Michell
Billy Nelson Jr.
Malcom E. Offield
Alfred N. Pierce
Teddie G. Robertson
Richard Lee Rogers
Don C. Screws
Herbert G. Smallwood
Marvin N. Smart
Kenneth D. Sorrells
Ray Spradling Jr.
Bill G. Thompson
Joe A. Williams
Norman R. Wilson
James “Jim” L. Wolfenbarger
2006
Samuel W. Walker
2013
Weldon Brannan
2018
Malcolm A. Bales
Grady A. Boggs
Monroe F. Davis
Kenneth D. Donaldson
Jerry B. Gibson
David H. Gray
David V. “Butch” Spencer
William E. Standifer
Michael W. Tipton
Strickland “Jerry” Vincent
John T. Walker
Billy J. Watkins
Donald R. Wilson
Zachary W. Youngblood
To see more photos from the ceremony, click here to view the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery.
VFW Post 7767 Commander Roy James issues the Call to Order, opening the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Monument on the southwest corner of the Stephens County Courthouse. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Todd Weger lowers the flag following the Pledge of Allegiance during the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25. Despite the drizzly weather, a crowd showed up to honor those local veterans who died in the past year. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
