COVINGTON, Ga. — More than 100 people gathered on the Square to take part in a Memorial Day ceremony Monday morning, May 31, held by American Legion Post 32 to honor Newton County’s fallen soldiers.

Post 32 Commander Don Floyd, who is also a Covington city councilman, led the ceremony. He spoke about the importance of expressing military appreciation and shared notable facts tied the national holiday.

“We should always remember that the decisions leading to war are those of the policy makers and not the veterans themselves,” Floyd reminded the crowd. 

“Sometimes the mission is clear-cut,” he continued. “In World War II, millions were liberated and truly evil regimes were toppled, but the price can still be unbelievably painful.

“And that’s why we’re here today … to honor the sacrifices made by the 1 million heroes who died while defending this country since the American revolution, and the sad sacrifices painfully shared by the Gold Start families and the close friends of these heroes,” Floyd said. “Most of us will not truly understand the depths of their despair unless we have experienced it. But we can always offer our support. We can wear the poppies, we can place flags […] at their graves, we can donate to the charities that provide for that family, and we can look at their surviving brothers and sisters in arms and say, ‘Thank you for your service.’”

His wife, Marcia Floyd, who is president of Auxiliary Unit 32, then spoke briefly about the history of the memorial poppy.

The memorial poppy was created by Walton County native Moina Belle Michael. She remains known as the “Poppy Lady” today.

After members of American Legion Post 32 read the names of Newton County’s fallen soldiers, a wreath was presented and taps were played to commemorate the memory of all military members.