Madison marks Memorial Day with ceremony in Village Park
May 30—The guest speaker at the Madison Memorial Day ceremony began his presentation by saying how impressed he was with the large crowd that had gathered for the May 30 event.
"It's amazing to me to see the turnout and support that our community has for our fallen," said retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Woodworth, as he spoke from the gazebo in Madison Village Park.
Woodworth is a Madison native who chalked up 27 years of active duty in the Army before retiring and returning to live in the community where he grew up.
Mike Evangelista, member of American Legion Jay Wilson Post 112 and chief organizer of the Madison's annual Memorial Day ceremony and procession, introduced Woodworth to the audience. Evangelista recited a lengthy list of medals and citations that Woodworth earned during his military career, along with noting the many places he was deployed for duty.
However, Woodworth said the biographical description given by Evangelista omitted another important detail.
"It doesn't put a dent in the respect and honor I have for the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," Woodworth said.
Woodworth reminded the audience that Memorial Day is intended to honor men and women who served in the United States military and died during one of the nation's wars. The ultimate sacrifice made by these military members is a concept that many people have difficulty understanding, Woodworth noted.
"Our love for our country, our patriotic sense of duty, and the camaraderie and respect among our brothers and sisters in arms," he said. "To protect our families and our way of life, and the freedom that we have as Americans.
"These are just a few things going through the mind of a soldier, airman, sailor or Marine, and going through their heart, when they go into harm's way."
Woodworth said the ultimate sacrifice made by American military members in our nation's wars reminds him of the Bible verse: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Evangelista, who gave opening and closing remarks at the ceremony, said honoring people who've died in American wars helps to preserve their memory, service and sacrifices.
"With every passing generation, we lose those who have firsthand memories of those who died in wars and conflict," Evangelista said. "Responsibility for remembrance falls on all of us who are living. Not just veterans organizations, not just those serving in uniform, but every man and woman and child who woke up today in the land of the free."
Madison's 2022 Memorial Day ceremony took place after a traditional parade that began 11 a.m. People lined both sides of West Main Street in downtown Madison Village to watch the procession.
In the earlier part of the morning on Memorial Day, members of Madison American Legion Posts 112 and 601 and VFW Post 8548 teamed up to conduct brief ceremonies at all of the community's cemeteries.
