Cindy Howarth, the wife of former Naval aviator Richard Howarth who died in a plane crash in January, accepts an American Flag from a member of the NAS Meridian Honor Guard Monday during Memorial Day ceremonies at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian.

    A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.

    But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian.

    The program, coordinated by Magnolia and Meridian Memorial Park owner Bill Arlinghaus, was to recognize the fallen veterans and to celebrate an American Hero, Lt. Richard Harper Howarth Jr., who fought in the first Gulf War as a US Navy aviator.

    Jim Swartz, who is the director of the recently completed Run For the Wall event, was a featured speaker on the program and he said there are more than 4,000 veterans buried at Magnolia Cemetery. He said the list includes veterans of the Spanish-American War all the way through the Gulf War. The names include those of Sen. G. V. “Sonny”Montgomery, Al Key of the Key Brothers and for whom Key Field is named, a fighter ace, a Medal of Honor recipient and many more men and women who have served this country.

    Keynote speaker, Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry, said, “Liberty is a rare commodity and it is due to those who have died that liberty is enjoyed by us today.”

    Cindy Howarth, the wife of Richard Howarth, accepted a folded American Flag from members of the NAS Meridian Honor Guard. Richard Howarth died in a plane crash in January. During his nine year service as a strike pilot in the F/A 18 Hornet flying off the USS America during Operation Desert Storm, Howarth earned two Navy Air Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals for his actions.