On a warm and windy morning, a good crowd was on hand for the annual Van Zandt County Memorial Day Ceremony May 30 at the VZC Veterans Memorial in Canton.

The program began with members of Scout Troop 378 presenting the colors followed by Ginger Pickett singing the National Anthem.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by VZC Veterans Memorial Board Chairman and VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr.

Jonathan Leach, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Edgewood, led in the opening prayer at the ceremony.

Melton welcomed those in attendance. “We should have a Memorial Day every day,” said Melton. “Years ago, Memorial Day, before it actually became Memorial Day, was known as Decoration Day. People used to go out to the gravesites of the veterans and decorate the gravesites with flags and flowers. We decorated the gravesites for our loved ones who died in combat. Today, we have a phrase, “Freedom is not Free,” and that can never be worn out. Freedom costs and what does it cost, well, since World War I, about 1.1 million individual service members have given their lives so that we may have the freedom that we have today.”

The chairman of the VZC Veterans Memorial Board then introduced a number of honored guests that included several VZC officials, and they were as follows:

Texas State Senator Bob Hall, Texas State Representative Bryan Slaton, VZC District Judge Chris Martin, VZC Court at Law Judge Joshua Wintters, VZC Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster, VZC Pct. 3 Constable Jeff Caughron, VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick, VZC Interim Sheriff Joe Carter, and VZC Judge-Elect Andy Reese.

Also recognized were Van Mayor Tammy Huff, Van City Councilman Ernie Burns, Edom Mayor Barbara Crow, Wills Point Mayor Mark Turner, Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett, Canton City Councilman Blake Fowler, Canton City Councilman Jim Fuller, Canton City Councilman Chase Melton, Grand Saline Councilwoman Kathy Smith and Fruitvale Mayor Vicki Ferguson.

VZC veterans in attendance who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as current and past Middle East war veterans were recognized by Melton.

The 2021-22 VZC Veterans Memorial Board of Directors were introduced, and they were Melton, chairman; Dan Maucieri, treasurer; Dan Curtis, secretary, Frank Palmer, director; Spencer Pennington, director; Tim West, director; Don Ashlock, director; Cary Hilliard, director; and Harry Fontenot, director.

Two previous members of the board, Bob Borth (United States Air Force) and Ron Carroll (United States Air Force), have passed away since Memorial Day 2021. They were recognized by Melton for their service to the board.

Dr. Jimmy W. Dailey of Canton was the guest speaker at the annual VZC Memorial Day Ceremony. Dailey is a family medicine doctor in Canton and is affiliated with Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

Dailey received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center’s Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine in San Antonio where he graduated with honors in 1996.

Having more than 26 years of experiences, especially in family medicine, Dailey affiliates with Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and cooperates with many other doctors and specialists without joining any medical groups.

Dailey served in the Texas National Guard from 1981-84. He served in two parachute infantry regiments from 1983-88.

Dailey is the owner/operator of the Dailey Medical Center in Canton, the East Texas Outpatient Clinic in Edgewood, as well as the Health and Home Agency and Veterans Home Care and Aid Service. He has served as the VZC Health Officer since 2012.

“Dr. Dailey is a proud VZC veteran and is a proud supporter of our beautiful VZC Veterans Memorial,” said Melton in introducing Dailey.

“On behalf of the attendees and the veterans, I would like to express my appreciation to the VZC Veterans Memorial Board and staff for their hard work, not just for preparing for this event, but for everything they do throughout the year,” emphasized Dailey to those in attendance. “This beautiful memorial is dedicated to the legacy of our service men and women. Let us remember the sacrifices of our service members as you consider donating toward this effort.

“It is an honor to speak to you in commemoration of the lives of our veterans,” continued Dailey. “I am proud of my military service, but I am ever prouder to be a colleague and a brother to so many generations of veterans, who gave so much more than me. I believe that my service did fortify me to persevere, to lead and stay motivated in the face of adversity, and it never quit. Military life is hard in so many ways, but it must be.

“While the training is hard, we still found youthful joy and newfound comradery and friendships,” pointed out Dailey. “We acquired new skills. We became lean and strong, and we started to learn to lead.

“Growing up in Canton, I recall knowing so many people that I did not know were veterans of World War II or the Korean War,” said Dailey. “It was rarely mentioned or talked about in those days. We are better today at acknowledging our military and our veterans.

“One in eight young adults in America does not graduate from high school,” continued Dailey. “One out of 33 veterans did not graduate from high school. Nearly half of all veterans have earned a college degree. Thirty percent of non-veterans have earned a college degree. The median household income for a veteran in 2005 was $74,000, which was $7,000 more than a non-veteran. On the whole, most veterans have performed well in most socio-economic categories. On the whole, veterans have returned to the United States from service, helped build a nation and they thrived. It appears that service in our armed forces helps to ensure success right here in America and in our communities.

“Of course, there are many veterans who succumb to their physical and their mental wounds,” said Dailey. “The homeless veterans could not assimilate after their service but thanks to the Veterans Administration, the Wounded Warriors Project, and other organizations, this is changing. Homelessness among veterans has been cut in half since 2010 nationwide.

“In closing, let us remember that we are here to immortalize our veterans who have passed from this life,” summarized Dailey. “There are so few of the World War II generation remaining and the number is declining every day. The ceremonies, the flags, the speeches, the personal stories will be gone in a few hours, and we will bring them out every now and then. What we need to do for our veterans is to be good citizens. Practice your rights as a citizen by voting, working hard, taking part in civic activities, attending city council and school board meetings. Better yet, serve in those capacities. Serve in civic organizations. Let us not squander these opportunities. God bless our veterans and their families.”

The “Reading of the Honor Roll” was done by Curtis, Melton, Maucieri, and Palmer. Master Sgt. Robert Allen, United States Air Force, Retired, led in the “Ringing the Bell of Honor.” Pennington played “Taps” to conclude the program.