News Summary
The Newberry community honored its veterans at a Memorial Day Ceremony featuring Major Jacinda W. White as the guest speaker. The event included tributes, musical performances, and a moment of silence for fallen soldiers. Following this, the Newberry Veterans Memorial was dedicated, showcasing a life-sized bronze statue of a military working dog, and drawing a large crowd. City Commissioner Mark Clark, a Marine Corps veteran, played an integral role in the project’s development. The memorial stands as a tribute to local service members and their sacrifices.
Newberry – On May 25, 2025, a significant Memorial Day Ceremony took place at the Edward Kyzer Firehouse Conference Center, honoring veterans who have made sacrifices for their country. Organized by the Newberry County Veterans Affairs Office alongside American Legion Posts 24 and 219, the ceremony drew a large crowd of veterans and community members who gathered to pay their respects.
Major Jacinda W. White, a native of Newberry, served as the guest speaker for the event. During her address, she highlighted the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by veterans, emphasizing the legacy of PFC Melvin Reeder, who died in 1966 after saving fellow soldiers. White urged attendees to honor veterans by speaking their names and acknowledging the families left behind.
As a poignant part of the ceremony, Veterans Affairs Director Raleigh Hickman read aloud the names of Newberry County veterans who had passed away in the last year. The honored veterans served in various conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the ongoing Iraq/Afghanistan operations. Attendees observed a moment of silence to remember those who had died in service, reinforcing the somber nature of the day.
The ceremony also featured musical performances, with Gracie Arnold singing “The National Anthem” and Michelle Williams performing “God Bless America.” The emotional tribute continued with Carlton Kinard playing “Taps,” while the American Legion Posts presented the MIA/POW table, a symbolic representation of those missing in action or held as prisoners of war.
On the following day, May 26, 2025, another significant event unfolded as the Newberry community dedicated the Newberry Veterans Memorial. This new memorial, honoring local service members, marked a culmination of efforts by community leaders and dedicated volunteers. An impressive turnout of between 700 and 750 participants attended the dedication, demonstrating the community’s commitment to remembering its veterans.
City Commissioner Mark Clark, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, played a crucial role in the creation of the memorial. He had initiated the project over two years prior, collaborating with then-Mayor Jordan Marlowe. Clark’s vision began with a hand-drawn sketch that was later transformed into a detailed rendering by artist Paula Willis. The construction of the memorial was fueled by contributions from community volunteers and local businesses, culminating in a fundraising effort that raised a total of $371,000.
A striking feature of the memorial is a life-sized bronze statue of a military working dog, meticulously sculpted by Master Sculptor Lena Toritch. This unique addition symbolizes the valued roles that working dogs have played throughout military history. At the dedication ceremony, middle and high school bands performed the national anthem along with fight songs representative of each branch of the military, adding a celebratory atmosphere to the momentous occasion.
The Newberry Veterans Memorial includes engraved bricks commemorating the names of fallen soldiers, serving as a lasting tribute to their legacies and sacrifices. In a further display of remembrance, flags representing all branches of the military were flown at half-staff during the designation of the memorial site, honoring the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
This Memorial Day observance and the subsequent dedication of the Newberry Veterans Memorial serve as a testament to the community’s unwavering dedication to remembering and honoring those who have served.
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Additional Resources
- Alachua County Today
- Wikipedia: Memorial Day
- Newberry Observer
- Google Search: Memorial Day 2025 events
- WCJB
- Google Scholar: Memorial Day traditions
- Alachua Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memorial Day
- WCJB
- Google News: Newberry Veterans Memorial
