The second floor courtroom of the Lauderdale County Courthouse was packed Monday morning as veterans and civilians gathered to honor, remember and celebrate the men and women who made the “ultimate sacrifice” in service, a sentiment that resonated throughout the ceremony.

Ken Storms welcomed the crowd by reminding them of the reason for the occasion and introducing the main idea of the event.

“Because of [the veterans’] sacrifice, we live in a free country and enjoy freedom as no other citizen in any other country in this world can even imagine,” he said. “[We are gathered] to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.”

Storms, who has been involved with the ceremony for more than 30 years, acknowledged that Memorial Day is a day of both celebration and grief.

“All Americans must take a moment to remember the sacrifice of our valued military service members and their families,” he said. “It’s important to me as a veteran and a citizen of the United States to remember those who gave their life in defense of our country so that you and I can walk around the streets free.”

The weather did not permit the ceremonial lying of poppy flowers at the foot of the war memorial in front of the courthouse.

Nevertheless, Leroy Morse and Ward Calhoun Jr. recited the names of locals who died in service to the United States.

Terry Pankhurst switched this year from his usual duty of singing the National Anthem at the event to serving as the guest speaker for the ceremony.

A Navy veteran who served for 20 years, Pankhurst detailed a brief history of Memorial Day in his speech and touched on themes like “the American dream,” the “true price” of freedom, and just how inadequate words are when attempting to convey the sacrifice made by veterans.

“I stand here, acutely aware of just how feeble words are when attempting to bestow the necessary honor and tribute to so many brave souls,” he started.

Actions speak louder than words, he said, a phrase that he believes to hold true when it comes to veterans’ service.

“Veterans hold a unique perspective on what we have always referred to as the ‘American dream.’ Those of us who have defended it tend to appreciate it all the more. We are the ones who, typically, understand that freedom isn’t free,” he said, echoing the words of former president Ronald Reagan.

As a veteran himself, this ceremony is especially meaningful to Pankhurst.

“For me, [this ceremony] means a lot. The ultimate sacrifice was not required of me. There were situations I was in, like many, where it could’ve been,” he said. “I would like to think that if I had passed on, in the service, that someone would remember me. Just a simple appreciation is all I think that most veterans, including those who are gone, would ever want.”

Rev. Wayne Hunt, who gave the invocation and benediction, stressed how important it is to remember and celebrate our fallen heroes in order to pass on that reverence to the next generation.

“If we don’t remind ourselves of where we’ve been, like the old saying goes, we’re doomed to go through it again,” the Vietnam War veteran said. “That next generation, we have to remind them where we come from.”

The event concluded with a 21-gun salute performed by the Meridian Police Department rifle team while Lucy Velez and Zahrya Harrison of the Southeast Lauderdale High School marching band played taps, an honor that was not lost on the two.

“It makes us feel special to play for these people who have fought for us and our amazing country,” Velez said.

Kathy Moulds remembered veterans Michael Kennedy and Terry Stodard during the ceremony.

“We’re remembering our fallen heroes, the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” she said. “They need to be remembered, and as long as I’m alive, I’ll remember them.”

Gary Johnson has been coming to the ceremony since it first began, and he believes the event serves to “remind us of the price that was paid for our freedom.”

“A great price was paid for us,” he said. “We want to recognize these brave men and women.”

Above all, the community came together during the ceremony to collectively remember Lauderdale Countians who fought for the freedom America allows its citizens through their selfless service.

“The people whose names were read today, whose names are engraved on the wall down there, were living people. They walked the streets here, they went to our movie theaters, they were members of our churches, they were real people,” Storms said. “If we read those names at least once a year, then their lives will have value and meaning.”

Devna Bose, a journalism student at the University of Mississippi, is interning for The Meridian Star this summer.