Hundreds come out for Memorial Day ceremony despite heavy downpour

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s the sound of Memorial Day at the Wilmington National Cemetery. Each name read is a veteran who died in 2017.

Those who attended the “Tolling of the Bell” ceremony were silent as more than 600 names were read. New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple says while he remembers his family members who served, today serves as a reminder to be thankful.

“It helps me to stop and remember, ‘I really have no problems’ when I consider the amount of sacrifice and the amount of work that’s come before me so that I can be here today with this crowd that’s out here and pay respect. It just means a lot to me,” Zapple said.

Despite the rain, people stayed outside for more than an hour, thanking those who fought for our country and some grieving. David Ward and his friends are veterans and walked in the rain all the way to the cemetery from Ogden. They wanted to show their respect for those who fought before them.

“I was a marine, another friend of mine was a marine, army. We just got together. It’s fun and like on a day like today, it’s a way for us to help remember those who went before us who fell. Memorial Day is very special,” Ward said.

He says it’s also a time they can remember those who served alongside them, but whose lives were cut short.

“Whether it was going fishing, running, just having fun with them. You celebrate what you did with them and you also remember who’s out here still,” Ward said.

A remembrance filled with many thanks and honor.