Sudan holds 33rd Annual Memorial Day Service

  • Sudan holds 33rd Annual Memorial Day Service
    Sudan holds 33rd Annual Memorial Day Service
  • BENNY GUERRERO, JR. US Marine Ret. addresses the audience at the 33rd Annual Veterans Memorial service held at Sudan High School on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    BENNY GUERRERO, JR. US Marine Ret. addresses the audience at the 33rd Annual Veterans Memorial service held at Sudan High School on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • KENNETH RICHARDS of Sudan performs patriotic songs at the 33rd Annual Sudan Veterans Memorial held at Sudan High School on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    KENNETH RICHARDS of Sudan performs patriotic songs at the 33rd Annual Sudan Veterans Memorial held at Sudan High School on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)

Sudan High School hosted the 33rd Annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Attendees were welcomed by Sam Merriman followed by the Invocation which was led by Cam Gaven.

The Presentation of Colors were conducted by members of VFW Post 2466 of Lubbock, Texas. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Sam Merriman, followed by the national anthem played by the Sudan Bold Gold band with singing led by Kenneth Richards of Sudan.

Kenneth Richards then performed a selection of patriotic music, concluding with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”.

The speaker for the event was Danny Koch, U.S. Marine Corp. retired, from VFW Post 2466 of Lubbock. He spoke of the reasons the U.S. works to preserve freedom around the world. He stated that the call to serve began in 1775 and continues to be vital today. He defined the four F’s that tie this country to the world with the South Plains of Texas. Fashion: which depends on cotton produced in this country, Feed: again the US plays a big roll in feeding the world, Fuel: which is exported from the U.S., and above all Freedom: in the world.

Following the presentation by the speaker the Sudan Bold Gold Band played “Tears of Arizona”, a piece commemorating the battleship Arizona, destroyed in Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Benediction was led by Terry Wilson, followed by Taps played by Sudan High School band members and the retiring of colors by VFW Post 2466 concluding the memorial service.