American Legion celebrates Memorial Day differently due to the pandemic

(SYLVESTER, GA) – It’s been a much more quiet Memorial Day than in years passed.

As large gatherings are still banned as part of the state’s measures to flatten the number of Coronavirus cases.

In Albany, Post 30 of the American Legion still haven’t re-opened their doors since April.

Post Commander, Daniel Brewer tells us, “We’ve spoken with churches about the Memorial Day message. So we’ve also put up our crosses and our flags, and we’re doing everything we can observing social distancing, so we can observe Memorial Day.”

Out in Sylvester, what should have been a ceremony at the city’s train depot honoring those lost has been changed.

As members from the community would only be able to observe from their cars while the veterans of Post 335 perform the ceremony.

“We’re gonna use them for the rifle chain, the reading of the names, playing taps, opening and closing prayer and everything else. So it’ll only be 10 of us there, and if there are any spectators, we’ve asked that they stay in their cars, and away from us,” says Post 335 Commander, Ray Humphrey.

While this year’s memorial day had to have some compromises due to ongoing social distancing guidelines, Post Commanders across the area didn’t want the message of Memorial Day to be lost in the shuffle.

Commander Brewer says, “It’s a small number of people to give us the freedoms we have. And I hope people take a second to reflect on why we have this day, and what it means to have a moment of thankfulness in the heart for those who gave their lives for our country.”