‘Freedom is not free:’ Fallen military honored in annual St. Augustine Memorial Day Observance

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The City of St. Augustine is honoring U.S. military personnel who died serving our country with an annual remembrance on Memorial Day.

That annual event is called St. Augustine Memorial Day Observance. It takes place in the city’s National Cemetery with a two-hour ceremony starting with music on Marine Street.

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There’s also the marching in of flags from local veterans organizations. According to the event’s website, local veterans who have died in the past year are recognized and paid tribute to for their ultimate sacrifice by reading their names and ringing the bell.

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On Monday, more than 100 names were read, each fallen military member having served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard.

Action News Jax spoke with Colonel Ronald E. Birchall with The Military Officers Association of America about St. Augustine’s Memorial Day Observance ceremony. He said as a former soldier who served our country for over 30 years, it’s an honor to recognize those who have passed away.

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“Freedom is not free and the enemy is here and there are people in the world and in this country that want to see the U.S. fail and fall -- but we took an oath when we raised our right hand and we stand by that oath,” Birchall said.

Although St. Augustine’s Memorial Day Observance has ended, all are welcome to visit and pay their respects at the headstones of those fallen soldiers at the city’s National Cemetery.

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