Darlington commemorates Memorial Day
Marine Corps veteran Rev. Eddie Thomas gave the invocation.
The annual Memorial Day ceremony held on North Main Street at the Darlington Veterans Memorial drew crowds of veterans, their families and friends, and many citizens who came to show appreciation for the men and women who serve in our nation’s military.
Guest speaker Col. Jim Peterson shared stories of his uncle, SSGT John Peterson, who served in the 1st Armored Division in World War II and fought from North Africa to Italy. By reading excerpts from a series of letters John wrote to his parents, Col. Peterson shared the deeply personal story of how the trials of combat traumatized his uncle.
“Please don’t expect the same fellow will return that left home. I wish it were possible, but I know I have changed too much in the past two years for that,” John wrote.
Col. Peterson used the example of his uncle to remind the audience that our freedom is not free, that often soldiers pay dearly to protect our rights, and their service should never be taken for granted.
Col. Jim Peterson gave the Memorial Day keynote speech;.