As this Memorial Day fades into memory, let us take a moment to reflect and honor our soldiers for the ultimate sacrifice they paid so we can enjoy our freedom.

In each war that has, and is currently being, fought by the Unites States of America, soldiers have bravely gone off into battle, knowing that he or she might not be returning home to their loved ones. It is for their sacrifice that we, as a nation, must never forget. God bless the U.S.A.

On behalf of the Ohio Flags of Honor and the Blue Knights KY VIII, I would like to thank the following people, businesses, law offices, organizations and first responders for their time and contributions for this year’s successful event: William H. Trembley, for use of the property, special speakers Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith, Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge (Ret.) Richard Walton, Lt. Col. John Turner and Lt. Col. Scott Evans, the Lawrence County Commission, Mike Patters, Nate Dickerson, Lawrence County Common Please judges Andrew Ballard and Christen Finley, Ohio 4th District Court of Appeals Judge Jason Smith, the Ironton Fire Department, Blue Knights WV III, Chief Carl Bowen of Lawrence County Adult Probation, and their crew, Giovanni’s Pizza, Marco’s and Little Caesar’s for feeding the workers, Pick n’ Save, Buffalo Wild Wings, Harmon Honda Shop, Skeens Excavating, AT Services, Bookkeeping and Taxes, South Point Storage, Black Sheep Harley Davidson, Liberty Bank, Citizens Deposit Bank, Morford Law Office, Anderson & Anderson Law Office, Craig Allen and Phillip Heald.

A special thanks for the first responders who volunteered their time in setting up and taking down of the Ohio Flags of Honor, including use of their equipment: Upper Township VFD, Fayette Township VFD, Elizabeth Township VFD, Perry Township VFD, Aid Township VFD, Windsor VFD and Chesapeake VFD. Thanks to Mike Pemberton of the City of Ironton for providing portable lights for the flags at night, James McGuire and Tish Martin, the Ironton Police Department, the Ohio State Highway patrol, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Raceland, Kentucky Police Department.

Thank you for all your support and blessings. There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.

Randy Goodall

President, Blue Knight KY VIII