Community honors fallen with Memorial Day Service

Community members came together Monday morning for the annual Memorial Day Service at Barbourville City Cemetery.

Taking part in the ceremony was Lt. Joseph Jones, U.S. Army National Guard, Maj. Tyler Shields, Chaplain, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Barbourville, Lt. Joseph Jones, and Col. Jason Penn, Commander of the 75th Troop Command, gave the keynote address. The presentation of colors was performed by the Knox Central JROTC Troop. The National Anthem and special music were performed by the Barbourville Memorial Day Choir under the direction of Eric Evans. The Gun Salute was performed by the Salute Battery, 138th Fires Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, and to close the service, Jared Ferguson played Taps.

Each year, two veterans are chosen to honor with a special shell casing. This year, veterans Kenneth Ray Frost (posthumously) and William Robert Messer were the honorees. Messer received his casing, and Frost's daughter, Sue Frost-Miller, accepted the honor on behalf of her late father.

Members of the Barbourville City Cemetery Board include Tyler Shields, Jim Hall, Ben Mills, Dave Collins, Jerry Jackson, Stephen Rhodes (Chair) and Barry Penn (Board Secretary). Bill and Lee Frazier provided the sound equipment for the event. Other organizations participating in the Memorial Day Service included the American Legion, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. A special thanks was given to volunteers for placing flags on veterans' graves.

Photos by Larry Spicer