The 5th Annual Memorial Day Service was held Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Veterans & 1st Responders Memorial Park. Before the service, breakfast sponsored by the Emanuel Medical Center, was held at the hospital cafeteria at 8 a.m. Over 40 veterans and Brier Creek Artillery members attended this annual breakfast. The Memorial Day, A Day of Remembrance event started off with a welcome from Chair Johnny Tapley, then the invocation by Veteran Malachi Lockett. The Pledge to the Flag of the United States was led by Veteran Robert Ladocsky. Historian Steve Burke made comments of what our county looked like 250 years ago during the American Revolution. Veteran Dess Smith III talked about what happened to this county after the Revolutionary War and then he dedicated the new Revolutionary War Monument by reading the names of the 31 Revolutionary War Patriots that are buried in Emanuel County. After each name was read, Veteran Jim McCurdy tolled the bell twice. Veteran Scotty Nasworthy mentioned each Monument; War Between the States, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Global War on Terror (Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa). After each monument was read, Veteran Jim McCurdy tolled the bell twice. Veteran Wayne Cannady and Adiela Serralde read out each of the names of the 40 service men and women that we fly the U.S. Flag on the fence. After each name was read, Veteran Jim McCurdy tolled the bell twice. Al Lawson, Jr. read out the names of each of the Emanuel County's Firemen & Law Enforcement officers that are listed on the Monument. After each name was read, Veteran Jim McCurdy tolled the bell twice. Joyce Fennell talked about and dedicated the new Rosie the Riveter Monument. The Brier Creek Artillery (Wiregrass, Brier Creek, Little River Chapters) fired a three-round volley salute (12 rounds) with their four cannons (four six-pounders). After the three-round volley salute, Veteran Scotty Nasworthy played taps on his bugle.
The Memorial service was ended with Closing remarks from Chair Johnny Tapley and the Benediction by Veteran Malachi Lockett, with approximately 100 in attendance. The event was sponsored by the Veterans at the Library, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion. Both monuments were funded by grants from the Mill Creek Foundation. We have to give our appreciation to Brandon Chapman of the Southeast Monument Company located in Swainsboro on Hwy 80 East. He worked hard in getting the perfect monuments, engraving them and installing them in the Park for the Memorial Service. A special thanks to Jane Durden, Shari Watt, Emanuel Medical Center, Damiun Scott, the Brier Creek Artillery, the City of Swainsboro and the Swainsboro Fire Department (trucks).
