Milton Memorial Day Service Features Local Veterans

Milton may be one of Georgia's youngest cities, but it continues to honor the country's history, paying tribute to the U.S. men and women who died during military service in a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28.

Honoring those who will never be forgotten: It is a pledge to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women who served their country valiantly throughout this nation's history.

That is the theme of the city's fifth annual Memorial Day Ceremony at . If you've never been to City Hall, you can't miss it if you drive along Deerfield Parkway. From the north or south, pull into the office complex accessed by the drive in the "gap" between the white crosses.

The city's communications manager, Jason Wright, said in his release that this year's ceremony features local veterans, a student playing the Call to Colors, performer Lewis Shaeffer, Taps as performed by Bob Wright and Don Ware of Bugles Across America, and more.

The ceremony will conclude with a roll call of local veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Their friends and families are then invited to reflect upon the markers created to remember their legacy and placed along Deerfield Parkway by Councilman Bill Lusk.

Major Gen. Jim Butterworth, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, will be the ceremony's featured speaker. Butterworth commands the more than 14,000-member strong Georgia Department of Defense, which includes the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force. In this position, he reports directly to Gov. Nathan Deal.

In addition to his military career, Butterworth recently completed his service as a state senator for the 50th district. While serving in the state Senate, Butterworth served as chairman of the Higher Education Committee and vice chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. He was also a member of the Appropriations and Natural Resources and Environment committees and served in an ex-officio capacity on the Economic Development and State and Local Government Operations committees.
Prior to his election to the state Senate, Butterworth served as chairman of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners.

The day is a federal holiday, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs asks every citizen to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day in honor of those fallen veterans.