Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
May 29, 2017
3:13 p.m.
On May 29, 2017, a somber crowd gathered at the foot of Centre Street before the Veterans Memorial to honor those uniformed service men and women who perished in the defense of the United States. While some remarked that attendance seemed a bit down from previous years, all agreed that this year’s service, organized by the Vietnam Veterans of Nassau County FL (VVNC), was memorable and moving.
VVNC Commander Lee Kaywork welcomed participants and attendees, thanking those who provided assistance to the organizers. He recognized various local officials in attendance, including County Judge Wesley Poole; from the city of Fernandina Beach: Vice Mayor Len Kreger, Commissioner John Miller and City Manager Dale Martin; Nassau County School Board Chair Donna Martin and her husband John Martin, who serves as the county’s Veterans Services coordinator.
Keynote speaker G. Patrick Beamer, Captain USN (retired), a self-described “Californian by birth, Floridian by choice,” is well known locally for his many volunteer activities. Beamer explained the origin and history of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. The audience listened intently as Beamer narrated the story of Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Israel Margolis, who at the age of 48 served in the Battle of Guam during World War II. Margolis, an immigrant from Russia, had fought as an officer in the Czar’s army in World War I before joining the American Marines while in France. Fatally wounded by Japanese fire on Guam, his final wish as he lay dying was for the corpsman to sing “God Bless America.”
Noted local vocalist Ed Cook led the audience in singing “God Bless America” before singing “God Bless the USA.”
Following the Roll Call of Honor, during which members of the Amelia Island DAR Chapter read the names of every Nassau County service member who died in action, Kaywork ordered the flag raised as TAPS were played by Stephen Hanner and Richard Coombe.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, members of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department laid a wreath in the Amelia River to remember the fallen.
