Hamblen County Mayor Chris Cutshaw used Monday’s Memorial Day observance at Hamblen Memory Gardens in Morristown as time to remember those soldiers who didn’t make it home.

“It’s not about me, or about you, it’s about us,” Cutshaw said.

Cutshaw said that all gathered in reverence, in gratitude and in remembrance.

“(Memorial Day) is simply not another holiday on a calendar, it’s a sacred day,” he said. “It is set aside for reflection. I realized that something very clearly that Memorial Day does call for reflection; reflection for our nation, reflection upon sacrifice and reflection upon freedom. We have a great heritage for where we call home that Hamblen County is remarkably blessed with a legacy of service and sacrifice.”

Cutshaw noted that Hamblen County is the only county in the country to have two Congressional Medal of Honor Winners, Sgt. Edward Talley and Pfc. Calvin Ward.

“In these hills and valleys, two men willing to serve for others. What a heritage; what an example,” Cutshaw said. “What a reminder the character founding the people of our community.”

Cutshaw told the crowd about two of his grandfathers serving in World War II and a Great-great grandfather who served in the 63rd Infantry from Jonesborough who camped with General Longstreet in 1863.

“As I reflect on those generations, I realize something important: No one was lost during that time. Honor and recognition are due him for his service, as they are due to every man and woman who has worn the uniform of the United States military.”

Cutshaw said that Memorial Day is different that it’s not about those who served, but rather those who never came home, those who stood in the gap for all of us.

Coming Tomorrow “For those who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion,” Cutshaw said. “It has long been said, ‘All game some, some gave all.’” Cutshaw said that during recent years, our nation has endured many challenges.

“We have overcome obstacles because that’s who we are,” Cutshaw said. “Most likely, many of us have been reminded about how precious life is. As we grow older, our thoughts become more reflective. We think about time; we think about moments; we think about life itself. As wisdom grows with age, we begin to understand that time is one of the most unforgiving things that we have.

“Memorial Day reminds us how costly freedom has been throughout the generations,” he said. “This day is a day of respect, honor and somber reverence to those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. From the beginning of time, humanity has witnessed the battle between good and evil; wars fought for liberty, wars fought for justice, wars fought for freedom, wars fought for beliefs and ideas.

“Throughout history, brave soldiers have laid down their lives so others might live free. Today is a day to honor those heroes.”

Cutshaw noted that for many families, Memorial Day is not simply a national observance, but a painful reminder of someone dearly loved who will never return home “For many, the sacrifice represents the very definition of selfless service,” Cutshaw said. “These men and women in uniform gave everything and in doing so, they represented the very best in this great country. For these families, this loss is felt every single day in the empty chair at the table; the empty seat at church; the empty seat in the stands; memories of saying goodbye to a loved one leaving to fight for our country, never imagining that it would be last goodbye.

“Those families gathered here today, we remember you, we remember with you and we thank you,” Cutshaw said. “Today, this country stands as a beacon of hope for freedom, a shining light to this world and the strength of this nation through battles won, through battles lost and unwavering courage of those willing to defend liberty.”

Cutshaw paraphrased an unknown author who said that American Flags do not fly because the wind moves it, but from the last breaths of every soldier who died to protect it.

“We certainly want to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; this is what this service is all about,” said Paul Chapman, organizer of the Memory Gardens’ annual service.

On Saturday, members of Scouting, Girl Scouts and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 73 retired soldiers placed American flags on veterans’ graves at the Memory Gardens.

The Vietnam Veterans of America also helps the Memory Gardens in the “Wreaths Across America” project every Christmas holiday season.

“The Vietnam Veterans have really stepped in and helped us every year,” Chapman said.

VVA Chaplain Charlie Arrington led those assembled in prayer. Afterwards, David Rutherford of the Sons of the American Revolution led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bagpiper Kelly Shipe played “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace” and a bugler from VVA Chapter 73 played “TAPS” after a wreath was placed at the VVA’s headstone in the cemetery.