CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ky. — Speaking at the annual Memorial Day service event in Crescent Springs was SGM Retired Lonnie Slone. Slone said he went into the Army decades ago.
“I joined the army in 1973 to avoid the draft,” he said.
Over the years, Slone has seen many moments in history.
“The Cold War coming and going and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Slone said.
Slone said Memorial Day is all about respect and carries a deep meaning.
“Remember all the men and women that went out and did what they could do. Some of them made it back, some of them back in less than whole pieces, so just respect. Respect and honor to those who served our country,” he said.
Slone and other community members gathered at Lou Hartfiel Memorial Park, surrounded by monuments and memorials.
“A Kenton County wide Veterans Memorial names from all over conflict since World War II, and then we have our 9/11 Memorial which is a Northern Kentucky wide memorial, and thirdly we have our charters of freedom which is Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights,” said Thom Vollmar, an organizer of the event.
It was a chance to honor those who’ve fallen.
“It’s huge for our legacy, our tradition, set the example for our younger generations coming up,” Vollmar said.
It also allowed others to understand the freedoms we have because of the sacrifices others made and continue to make.