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Washington Evening Journal
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Fairfield residents honor Memorial Day
FAIRFIELD — A good crowd turned out to honor the nation’s fallen soldiers during Memorial Day services Monday in Fairfield.
The ceremony was held at Central Park, which was blanketed by American Flags installed a few days prior. Two Fairfield High School students read the two customary speeches associated with Memorial Day, with Star Sutherland reciting Logan’s Orders and Sophia Fritz reciting the Gettysburg Address.
John Miller, a former Air Force officer who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War, was the keynote speaker. Miller talked about the core values he learned in basic training, which were “service, honor and excellence in all we do.” He gave examples of all three. He spoke about his departed friend Jerry Yellin, a World War II fighter pilot, and how he was invited to address Air Force cadets in 2012 and again in 2017.
Miller spoke about leading a class on race relations in Thailand, and how his students didn’t like it at first, but came to see its merits by the end of the course. He also touched on how to taught English to Thai personnel on the military base, and how that work continues to inspire him to work with English-language learners through Indian Hills Community College.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
Residents sat on benches and lawn chairs in Fairfield’s Central Park while paying their respects to the nation’s veterans during the Memorial Day service Monday. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Retired Air Force officer John Miller gives the keynote address during Monday’s Memorial Day service in Fairfield’s Central Park. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Sophia Fritz reads The Gettysburg Address during the Memorial Day service Monday in Fairfield. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Star Sutherland reads Logan’s Orders during the Memorial Day service in Fairfield. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Pastor Ryan Dexter of Hope Lutheran Church gives the invocation during the Memorial Day service Monday in Fairfield. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
