A Memorial Day service was held in the Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 31. The highlight of the ceremony was the dedication of the Michael Craig Ledsome Memorial Playground. Craig Ledsome USMC was a Brownwood native who was killed in Iraq in November 2006. The playground equipment, the newest addition to Veterans Memorial Park, was dedicated to his honor.
Keynote speaker for the event was Larry Mathis, longtime teacher at Brownwood High School and former Brownwood City Councilman. He addressed the reason for Memorial Day: “On this day we gather to remember and praise the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country. Their selfless devotion, outstanding courage, and honor should inspire us all.”
Speaking to the dedication of the playground to Ledsome: “Abraham Lincoln said this, ‘I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives, but I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.’ Michael Craig Ledsome, your place is proud of you. Brownwood is proud of you. In memory of Craig Ledsome a beautiful playground has bee erected on this hallowed ground of memories in this Memorial Park. Soon the sounds of laughter from children at play will stir the remembrances of Craig Ledsome for decades to come. May the children learn about a young man whose heroism will be eternally honored each time this playground is used.”
And in summing up the significance of Memorial Day: “To put an imprint on the significance of this day is almost an impossible thing to do. To remember the hundreds of thousands of American men and women who have lost their lives in war defending our country, our freedoms, and our very existence seems so daunting a task. But at gatherings such as this, as they happen all across the country today, we can find a sense of hope that maybe — just maybe — what we do here to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice will always be passed on from generation to generation.”
Dr. Steve Kelly dedicated a new plaque to the memory of Sidney, Texas native L.D. Cox, who joined the Navy in World War II and was one of only 317 survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis disaster. After the war Cox lived in Comanche, and died in Early, TX in 2015.
Harold Stieber of the American Legion Auxiliary presented Patriotic Citizen Awards to Steve Weckworth, owner/operator of Subway Restaurants, and Tom Hall, owner/operator of Sonic Drive-Ins.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 14 presented the colors, and members of American Legion Post 196 fired a three volley rifle salute when the U.S. Flag was lowered to half-staff by Troop 14.
The ceremony was hosted by VFW Post 3278 and Auxiliary, American Legion Post 196, and the Veterans Memorial Board.
