Two days before this year s ceremony, in a somber annual event that prepares the grounds for Memorial Day, cadets from the Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Fort Walton Beach High School will place flowers on the graves of the more than 1,600 U.S. military veterans laid to rest at Beal Memorial. The cadets also will be on hand to assist with the May 31 ceremony.
In addition to honoring the nation s troops who died in war and the local veterans who have passed away in the past year, this year s Memorial Day observance will include recognition of those held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, and also will honor Gold Star families, the immediate family members of veterans who died while serving in a time of conflict.
By CHAD GARLAND | STARS AND STRIPES Published: January 21, 2021 Dozens of people have paid homage online to a Green Beret who died last week in a noncombat incident, while hundreds have raised more than $50,000 for the wife and young daughter he left behind. Warrant Officer John Wirka, 36, of 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died Jan. 14, the command said in a statement over the weekend, providing few details about the circumstances of the incident or where it occurred. “With this tragic event, John leaves behind his spouse and one child,” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Group commander. “John served his nation honorably and was loved by many. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our finest soldiers.”
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