Montevallo, AL – More than a dozen organizations took part in a 40-minute ceremony marking Memorial Day at the Alabama National Cemetery.
It was the first such ceremony at the Montevallo site, which opened last month with consecration services.
Quincy Whitehead, Alabama National Cemetery director, saluted the active and retired military personnel who participated.
Newton J. Duke, who was a prisoner of war in Korea and a Purple Heart recipient, said he was touched by the many people who spent their day at the ceremony instead of at the beach.
The ceremony included a presentation of colors by the All Service Color Guard and a rifle salute by the Army National Guard.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)