Communities across metro honor fallen with Memorial Day events

ATLANTA — People across the metro are honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country as several ceremonies are underway this Memorial Day.

Channel 2's Audrey Washington went to Roswell, which has a Memorial Day ceremony that is considered to be the largest in the state.

The theme for the service was the sacrifice that service members and their families make each day.
For Kathy Cozonac it was another holiday without her husband.

“He’s deployed right now, so he’s performing Memorial Day services in Iraq for the soldiers,” Cozonac told Washington.

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Cozonac said her husband’s deployment is a reason why it was so important for she and her daughter to be at Roswell’s Memorial Day event.

“Freedom isn’t free and it’s important that we remember why we fly our flags at half-staff today,” Cozonac said.

Roswell’s ceremony was held on the city hall green. Dozens of people sat with umbrellas and raincoats as they honored the fallen.

At one point, the event took a somber, quieter turn, when veterans laid a wreath at the Faces of War memorial.

“Being in the service is not easy,” Vietnam vet Wilfred Alexander said.

Alexander traveled from California to be a part of the Roswell ceremony. He told Washington that serving in Vietnam was the turning point in his life.

“Out of a company of 60 men, there were six African-Americans, and I got the orders to go to Vietnam.

So, I decided to make the best of it instead of get mad. It truly was an experience for me,” Alexander said.

Alexander said it was an experience both service members and their families shared.

“Not only do servicemen make the sacrifice, it’s also their family, and wife and kids. It’s not easy,” he said.

“Everybody out there is a hero, not just the military members, but also their families and the community that supports them,” Cozonac said.

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston watched as five special families who lost veterans in the last year were given special wreaths to honor their loved ones.

There was also a wreath presentation to remember all of the service men and women who gave their lives for freedom.

One of speakers said there's no greater sacrifice for this country than to lay down your life for America.

Jonice Roebuck told Huddleston that this day is much more than your average holiday and day off from work.

“Barbecues are OK, and getting together with family, but I think the most important thing is to honor those that have served and are serving. It is so important cause someone has to do it. Someone has to stand up and protect us, and the sacrifices that they make are just overwhelming,” Roebuck said.

President Donald Trump says he's come to the "sacred soil" of Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor "the lives and deeds of America's greatest heroes."

He told an audience of Cabinet members, military leaders, veterans, families of the fallen and others gathered Tuesday in the marble amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that all Americans "strive to be worthy" of the sacrifices made on behalf of a thankful nation.

Trump marked his second Memorial Day as commander in chief by laying a wreath at the tomb.

Before heading to the hallowed grounds across the Potomac River from the nation's capital, Trump tweeted that "those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today."

First lady Melania Trump tweeted her thanks to "all the service members & their families who sacrifice so much to keep us safe."

Trump stood by Gen. Joseph Dunford, the joint chiefs of staff chairman, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis before laying the wreath.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Cox Media Group