American Legion Post 62 Smith Mountain Lake held its annual Memorial Day ceremony and wreath laying on Monday at the SML/Moneta Library to honor fallen service men and women.
More than 100 people were in attendance, including Post 62 members, families and friends, for the event that included performances by the Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (SMLCA) Brass Band and several speakers, including Jim Kurtz, a pilot who served in Vietnam, and who is also a Post 62 member and Veterans Service Officer for the American Legion.
Kurtz spoke about the origins of Memorial Day, which followed in the aftermath of the American Civil War and emerged as a way to honor the sacrifices of fallen soldiers, and to decorate their graves with flowers. The act of remembrance evolved into a national holiday, which was officially established in 1971 and is now dedicated to honoring all American military personnel who have died in service…