Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 671 hosts Memorial Day Ceremony in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A non-profit, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 671, in Savannah held a ceremony today at the Vietnam Memorial in Emmet Park.

The gathering on Bay Street started at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday near the memorial where 106 members of the armed forces from Chatham County killed or presumed killed during the war are honored.

The event was meant to educate the public about the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of thanking veterans for their service.

“The younger generation needs to know that great sacrifices were made. Abraham Lincoln said ‘they’re the last full measure of devotion’ and that’s what we want to do, and we hope that this will make an impression,” said Chapter President Lionel Marmolejo. “We should have this whole park filled up with people, honoring these hundred and six men and all our branches of service and men and women who died serving this country to bring freedom to America, which we enjoy.”

Ceremonies are planned throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry on Monday, May 25.