In a voice choked with emotion, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx read the Gettysburg Address to the crowd gathered Sunday afternoon at Ashelawn to celebrate Memorial Day. She said these words were especially appropriate for the occasion. President Abraham Linc
The Jefferson Post by Linda Burchette Assistant Editor
In a voice choked with emotion, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx read the Gettysburg Address to the crowd gathered Sunday afternoon at Ashelawn to celebrate Memorial Day. She said these words were especially appropriate for the occasion. President Abraham Lincoln didn’t live long enough to know what impact his words would have, she said, but they continue to help bring this nation together when so many in terror are trying to tear it apart.
Foxx applauded the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom in America, and said that citizens here could not go about their day to day business if those brave men and women had not made that sacrifice.
“It’s not a perfect nation,” she said, “but it’s the only one I know of where people are dying to get here.”
Foxx was scheduled to be in Washington, D.C. on Monday to stand by as President George Bush signed the Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunity (HERO) Act which she sponsored. The bill makes it easier for members of the military who serve in combat to contribute a portion of their pay to retirement savings, and is expected to provide $70 million in tax savings for U.S. troops over the next 10 years. Foxx then planned to be in attendance as the President placed a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
The ceremony at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel and Gardens attracted hundreds of local citizens to commemorate the annual tribute to Memorial Day, and local veterans stood at attention during the activities. Led by the Ashe County High School JROTC and LTC John Marsh, the ceremony included presentation of state flags by the Husky Battalion Cadets, invocation, welcome, description of the American flag, presentation of colors, prayer, honor guard volleys and benediction by the students along with a reading of the Roll of Honor and special Naval tribute. The National Anthem and Taps were performed by the Ashe County High School Band.
Photo Caption: Congresswoman Virginia Foxx was special guest speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony Sunday afternoon at Ashelawn. She applauded veterans for their sacrifice and their continuing service.
In a voice choked with emotion, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx read the Gettysburg Address to the crowd gathered Sunday afternoon at Ashelawn to celebrate Memorial Day. She said these words were especially appropriate for the occasion. President Abraham Lincoln didn’t live long enough to know what impact his words would have, she said, but they continue to help bring this nation together when so many in terror are trying to tear it apart.