Nikole Babb, nbabb@cherryroad.com

On this year’s Memorial Day, the El Dorado American Legion Post 81 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1174 held a joint ceremony to dedicate a bronze Tactile Braille American Flag. During the ceremony, 30 local veterans were honored.

The dedication of the newly installed Tactile Braille American Flag was in memory of George and Theresa Fagg. George was a local war veteran who left a lasting impact on many within the community. The flag is on display now in Sunset Lawns Cemetery in El Dorado located at 2100 Sunset Rd.

Due to the rain the ceremony was moved to the Carlson Colonial & Kirby-Morris Funeral Home located on Star St. The ceremony began with opening remarks from Master of Ceremonies Jon Crook who is a Chief Petty Officer for the United States Navy. The memorial flyover was canceled due to the rainy weather.

American Legion Post 81’s Rifle Squad and Color Guard who in attendance to present the colors and sound off their rifles in memory of those who had passed away since last year’s Memorial Day. The honored veterans were read aloud in memory:

James Cook

Dale Hull

Forrest Plummer

Gary Zlab

Jack Richey

McFerry Rice

Chester McCoy

Richard Stewart

Henry McElroy

Bobby Trammell

Maurine Hind

Andrew Cervantes, Jr.

Don Morton

Claude Smith, III

Theresa Flowers

Richard Wilson

Leland Kemp

Gerald Wittenberg

Sherrill Vermillion

David Neal

Merle Edson

Ronald Lewis

Jammie Woodall

Harol Wren

Gary Nace

Jack Corkill

Gordon Halter

Joe Arnold

Larry Baker

Taps was played for the lost veterans. Some family members were present to lay wreaths at the front of the funeral home in honor of the lost ones in lieu of layer wreaths for everyone. Laying of the wreaths was cancelled due to the rain.