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 A record 62 veterans filled Lori's Kitchen to near
capacity on Sunday, May 26, for the annual Memorial Day
Breakfast sponsored by the American Legion. The free
breakfast - country ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits,
fruits and pastries complemented by Lori's down home
service - brings both war and peacetime veterans
together to honor their fallen comrades.
The increase in numbers this year was due in part to
increased participation by later generation veterans as
they begin to take their places alongside veterans of
the World War II and Korean War generations who have
long been the bedrock of veterans' activities in the
area.
Legion Commander Bailey Wrinkle noted the loss of two
members during the past year: Wilbur Headden and Pete
Carter, and three others who are currently hospitalized
or in nursing homes, Paul Carroll, Brat Howell, and
Albert Chandler. Other veterans were mentioned who are
also suffering declining health.
 "A lot of veterans are in bad shape," Mr. Wrinkle said.
Even the youngest veterans of World War II are in their
mid-seventies with many 80 years old or over.
State Representative Mark Maddox, who attends the
breakfast each year to pay tribute to the group, was
simple but eloquent in his remarks. "On the way over
here I thought about what I could say to you that I
didn't say last year, or the year before that," he said.
"I decided to say what I say every year - thank you."
Each year following the breakfast, Legion members
disperse to area cemeteries to place American flags on
the graves of deceased veterans, with this year being no
exception. Mr. Wrinkle reported that around 400 flags
are placed at Mount Olivet Cemetery alone, with near 100
placed at Shiloh Cemetery and 100 more at Memorial
Gardens plus many more in rural cemeteries.
 Veterans are encouraged to mark their calendars early
for the event that takes place each year on the Sunday
before Memorial Day at 6:30 a.m.
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