DeKalb County observed Memorial Day a little early, with the American Legion #122 Memorial Day ceremony being held last Saturday morning.

The observance began at the DeKalb County Complex Auditorium with patriotic music by Susan Hinton followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Emily Phillips.

Judy Redmon of the American Legion then introduced the main speaker, Ralph Vaughn, a DeKalb County native who served six months in the U.S. Army before finishing his military career with the 130th Military Police Company of the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Vaughn managed WJLE Radio for 15 years and was one of the original committee members for the Smithville Jamboree. He also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in nearby Rutherford County, Madison, Georgia, and the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce for a combined 18 years. Today, Ralph and his wife June reside in Nashville.

Remember today all of those who preceded us, and think about, figuratively, all of those who we are standing on the shoulders of that we may be here today. From a spiritual standpoint, as well as a personal physical standpoint, for the cause of freedom, you and I would not be here today had it not been for those brave and courageous people who preceded us in being here.

We are here today to honor those fallen soldiers, men and women who fought with great valor, and gave the supreme sacrifice. We also want to honor today our law enforcement, all of our first responders, and everybody who has contributed to the cause of freedom for America.

Vaughn then went on to describe how Memorial Day began, starting just after the American Civil War as Decoration Day. “When the Civil War ended in the spring of 1865, communities throughout American began hosting Decoration Day. The reason it was chosen for May is because flowers would be in bloom, and they would take the flowers and decorate the graves of fallen soldiers, be they Union or be they Confederate.”

“Memorial Day later evolved to be held on the last day of May to honor fallen soldiers, then Congress made Memorial Day official on the last Monday of May, as we know it today.”

Vaughn then went on to explain his family history with the American Civil War through his ancestry, and read aloud many of the local family names associated with the conflict.

After the presentation at the County Complex, veterans gathered at the DeKalb County Courthouse where a laying of the wreath ceremony was held at the Veteran’s Memorial, followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” by the Bobby Ray Detachment of the Marine Corps League. The proceedings were held by Commander Jerry Hinton, Adjutant Ronnie Redmon, and other veterans.