As they’ve done for more than 20 years, community members gathered at Owensboro Memorial Gardens on Saturday for “A Day of Remembrance” to honor the lives of local veterans. For the first time ever, there were two featured speakers.
The cemetery is now the final resting place for more than 1,800 local veterans. Glenn Taylor, Sr., president of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, said it’s important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom.
The first featured speaker was Jesse Mountjoy, whose father, 2nd Lt. Jesse T. Mountjoy, died on July 31, 1944, during a combat air support mission during World War II. The elder Mountjoy’s P-47 Thunderbolt was hit by flak.
The younger Mountjoy resides in Utica and spent nearly 6 decades without even remotely understanding his father’s purpose in the war until he received an enlightening phone call in 1999. A local woman invited him to the village of La Haye-Pesnel, France, for the dedication of a monument honoring his father.
Mountjoy recounted much of what he’s learned about his father’s final flight — along with how the villagers have preserved his legacy through countless acts of kindness.
Owensboro Times detailed that story in June 2022. Read about it here.
The second featured speaker was Flem Gordon, a Vietnam veteran who served as an infantry platoon leader in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He earned multiple medals for his service, including a Purple Heart.
Gordon noted that Memorial Day is primarily perceived as a day to remember those whose lives were lost in service, but said there are others who deserve recognition.
“Rightfully it has evolved into a day that we also recognize our veterans and other first responders in our communities,” he said. “Nothing we say here today can magnify the sacrifice that those service members have rendered for us.”
Godron said the best way to honor the fallen service members is to “keep them in our hearts and the lives that we live.”
“What kind of nation we are and will become is ours to determine by our actions and choice,” he said. “Let us shape the future in the image of those (service members).”
The event also included performances from Community Band and the Daviess County High School Alumni Ensemble, as well as Cathay and Tommy Mullins and Andy Brasher. VFW performed a 21-rifle salute, Mary Lou Goodsell played “Taps,” and the event closed with Karen Brumley performing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.
