Veterans host memorial Published May 31, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs SAN ANGELO, Texas -- The All Veterans Council of Tom Green County hosted a Memorial Day Commemoration at the Tom Green County Courthouse, May 27. The event featured the posting of the colors and singing of the National Anthem. The event also featured Col. Brendan Harris, 17th Training Group Commander, as the guest speaker. "Memorial Day is a particularly poignant day for us in the military and those associated with the military," said Harris. "Today we honor the more than one million service men and women who have paid the ultimate price in defending our great nation." Harris also talked about how Americans fight for their freedom. "Freedom is not free," said Harris. "Open markets for trading and capitalist ideas are not free. American leadership in the world is not free. All of these things are earned. They were fought for in blood, sweat and tears." After Harris spoke, members of local veterans' organizations placed wreaths by the veteran memorial near the courthouse. At the end of the ceremony, four retired service members from the All Veterans Council lowered the flag and played Taps.
