By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
American flags will be displayed throughout the Brewton area Monday in honor of the Memorial Day holiday. Members of the Lions Club will erect flags along the streets of Brewton and special services are planned on the lawn of the Escambia County Courthouse on Belleville Avenue.
The Escambia County Veteran's Memorial Committee and the American Legion will present the program at 9 a.m. at the front of the courthouse. The program will include several speakers and the calling of the roll of those who have died in wars and conflicts since World War I.
Dozier said names of deceased veterans will also be read during the services as well.
Dozier, along with John Wilson, both members of the American Legion, will be responsible for raising the flag to half-mast as the ceremonies begin, Dozier said. The Rev. George Weaver will sing the national anthem.
One of the most visible parts of the day will be the United States Flags that will be shown around town. Businesses will display the flag as well and it doesn't just happen. It takes work to get those flags put out early in the morning for this, and five more days during the year.
The Lions Club has been placing flags in front of businesses and along the streets for many years.
The flags are stored from one event to the next by the Lions Club.
Lions Club member Lawrence Weaver said those who put the flags out on display, get an early start.
Weaver said the work takes a short time to complete with flags up by 7 a.m. on display dates.
The flags are also displayed on Flag Day (June 14), July 4, Labor Day, Patriot's Day (September 11) and Veterans' Day (Nov. 11).
Morris said although several businesses around town pay to have flags displayed near their business location, private citizens may also participate by having a flag erected at their residence.
The special recognition made by the display of flags and memorial ceremonies is held each year by the three organizations.
According to records obtained from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Escambia County has sent many men to fight battles over the past 100 years, World War I saw 35 of its young men go, never to return. There were 89 in World War II, 15 in the Korean Conflict and 30 in Vietnam. The latest victims are those who have lost their lives in, what the Veteran's office calls, the global war on terror, including one on Sept. 11, 2001, in the 911 attack on the Pentagon and two who have paid the price of freedom in Iraq.
During Monday's ceremony, relatives will be asked to come and stand at the memorial honoring their family members who were killed.