To remember and honor
A tribute to America’s “fallen” was held on Memorial Day at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park.
Wallace and Christina Read of the Marine Corps League pay their respects as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance with other people during the “A Heritage Remembered – A Tribute To America’s Fallen” Memorial Day ceremony at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, May 25, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The A Heritage Remembered: A Tribute to America’s Fallen Memorial Day ceremony at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on May 25 included a salute to those lost in nine American wars and honored a 17-year-old Ocala resident who died in the Vietnam War.
Daisy Diaz, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and director of Marion County Veterans Services, opened the ceremony and welcomed upwards of 400 people to honor “those who never came home and those who carry the burden now.”
Diaz recited the names of 13 service members who have died during Operation Epic Fury, which began Feb. 28 with a goal of dismantling “the Iranian regime’s security apparatus,” according to the U.S. Central Command website.
During the ceremony, Hannah Stuckey sang the national anthem and Carly Jacob, president of the Ocali Society, Children of the American Revolution, led the pledge of allegiance. Fr. Donald Curran, a Navy veteran and rector emeritus of Christ the King Anglican Church, offered an invocation and benediction.
Mary Oram came to the ceremony with her grandson, Bryce,12. Oram, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1995, said her family has a history of military service with members serving now. She said she came to honor those who died for our country and for freedom.
Members of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard provided a rifle salute and taps. Honor Guard captain Don Kennedy said the group had three ceremonies to attend on Monday.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Carl Zalak III said in a welcome speech that “liberty never exists on its own,” about the sacrifice of those who “answered the call and never returned.”
World War II veteran Howard Mautner, 102, was recognized at the ceremony.
Carolyn Smith, with the Kingdon of the Sun Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, and Vietnam War veteran Jerry Arthur, were among those who came out to the ceremony to honor the fallen. Dorothy Antonelli whose uncle, Peter Patete, died in the Korean War, said she came to honor and remember.
Keynote Speaker Jack E. Lechner Jr., a retired U.S. Army colonel, said Memorial Day is “more than a date on the calendar and the start of summer,” but a day of “honor, remembrance and gratitude” for those who gave their lives for freedom.
Lechner narrated a flag procession and wreath laying ceremony to “honor and remember” those lost in nine wars.
The ceremony included an Air Force JROTC cadet from North Marion High School dressed in a period uniform, who placed a wreath, and a cadet from Belleview High School AFJROTC who posted a flag associated with the era.
The Kingdon of the Sun Concert Band, conducted by Eric Chandler, provided patriotic music for the ceremony and a song popular during each war that was represented.
The wars were:
- Revolutionary War: Grand Continental flag posted by Cadet Lt. Col. Madison Erhardt and wreath placed by Cadet 2nd Lt. Alex Blackbull; sponsored by Ocala Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; song, “Chester.”
- War of 1812: Star Spangled flag posted by Cadet Sr. M.Sgt. Landen Ferrebee-Fredette and wreath placed by Cadet Airman 1st Class Braiden Gochenour; song, “The Girl I Left Behind Me.”
- Civil War: Fort Sumter flag posted by Cadet S. Sgt. Emmanuel Rivera and wreath placed by Cadet Airman 1st Class Jah-Mel Roberts and Cadet Senior Airman Jacob White;
sponsored by United Daughters of the Confederacy Gen. Robert Bullock Chapter 2420; song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” - World War I: 48-star flag posted by Cadet First Lt. Lilah Deen and wreath placed by Joshua Coventry; sponsored by Post 27; song, “Over There.”
- World War II: Wreath placed by Cadet T. Sgt. Peter Gonzalez; sponsored by the Dyas Family; song, “White Cliffs of Dover.”
- Korean War: Wreath placed by Cadet Airman 1st Class Christopher Ruby; song, the theme from “MASH.”
- Vietnam War: 50-star flag posted by Cadet S. Sgt. Daisy Fessenden and wreath placed by Cadet Airman 1st Class Joey Smith; song, “Amazing Grace.”
- Desert Shield/Desert Storm: Wreath placed by Cadet Maj. Corbin Remick; song, “America.”
- Global War on Terrorism: Wreath placed by Cadet 2nd Lt. Austin Bryant; sponsored by the Blue Star Frazier Family; song, “God Bless the USA.”
An “America 250 Flag” was posted by Cadet S. Sgt. Jazzlynn Garcia.
The Gold Star Family of PFC Harold “Hoppy” Golden of Ocala was recognized, and a wreath was placed by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Levenson. Golden, then 17 years old, was killed in action on Nov.6, 1965, during the Vietnam War.
Lechner read from a letter written home by Golden a few weeks before he was killed by enemy gunners during a search and destroy mission. Golden wrote about going out on a patrol and about a “lonely Christmas over here, all by myself, just me 126,000 other GIs” and that’s the “price we all pay for freedom.”
“You really think about things like that when you stand over one of your friends while he is dying. It’s enough to make you want to cry,” Golden wrote.
Several members of Golden’s family were on hand. His sister, Reva Golden Stillian, said she was 7 when he died. “(He) took care of me,” she said.
Golden’s nephew Randall Poe said the ceremony was “awesome.” An uncle and Golden’s niece, Shannon Underwood, both offered insights about their loved one.
Evidently Golden’s mother was required to sign for him to enter the military. His family called him by his nickname, “Hoppy.”
The Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Ocala bears Golden’s name and family members said there are memorials in front of Belleview City Hall and in The Villages.
“He had a lot of friends,” his uncle said.
** According to the ceremony program, the service members lost in Operation Epic Fury were
M. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons
Maj. Ariana G. Savino
T. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt
Capt. Seth R. Koval
Maj. John A. Klinner
Capt. Curtis J. Angst
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens
Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan
Capt. Cody A. Khork
Sgt. Declan J. Coady
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor
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