- September 6, 2024
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David Sendzul, John Roble, Patricia and Larry Jones
Photo by Petra RiveraMichele Fischman and Gary Coffin
Photo by Petra RiveraGemma Briggs plays her bagpipes as members walk in.
Photo by Petra RiveraCommodore Steve Horton, Vice Commodore Michael Landis and Rear Commodore Tony Britt
Photo by Petra RiveraSandy Helme and Lynn Coffin
Photo by Petra RiveraLemon Bay High School’s Junior Navy ROTC raises the colors in its flag ceremony for the Bird Key Yacht Memorial Day celebration.
Photo by Petra RiveraCommodore Steve Horton
Photo by Petra RiveraVice Commodore Michael Landis ringing the bell for fallen soldiers.
Photo by Petra RiveraLemon Bay High School’s Junior Navy ROTC raises the colors in its flag ceremony for the Bird Key Yacht Memorial Day celebration.
Photo by Petra RiveraMitchell and Courtney West and their four children Cason, Galleria, Raelynn and Forest
Photo by Petra RiveraElmer Berkel, Diane and Bo Fairey
Photo by Petra RiveraJohn Roble and Charlie Wilson
Photo by Petra RiveraOn Memorial Day, Steve Horton remembers his next-door neighbor in Washington, D.C.
Richard Higgins was a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps commissioned immediately after college. He served combat tours in Vietnam.
In 1987, Higgins was assigned to be the chief of the United Nations observation group in Lebanon. Six months later, he was abducted by Hezbollah terrorists and killed later that year.
Horton said he remembered working with Higgins at the Pentagon. He also would see him in the Pentagon Athletic Club and their children grew up playing together.
This is who Bird Key Yacht Club Commodore Horton honored on Memorial Day as he led the presentation at the club's annual Memorial Day ceremony.
“Each year, I try to personalize this by addressing one person who has given the ultimate sacrifice among the many men,” said Horton. “Let us remember the price of freedom. As the living, our obligation is not to let our fallen service members' sacrifice be in vain but always to rise up and continue to fight for freedom. God bless those serving, especially those employed today in harm's way, providing us the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful day.”
The Bird Key Yacht Club honored 40 veterans at its Memorial Day presentation. Lemon Bay High School’s Navy Junior ROTC conducted a special flag ceremony followed by the national anthem sung by Courtney West and performances by bagpiper Gemma Briggs.
The solemn presentation kept in mind the fallen and current men and women who gave up their lives for the freedom of U.S. citizens.