Service members, their families, and members of the community are invited to the Emma Kelly Theater located at 35 E. Main St. in Downtown Statesboro, GA, to honor and remember those that have lost their lives in service to our country.
The free event is open to the public and begins with coffee and doughnuts at 10 am. The Memorial Day program begins at 10:30 am.
The program includes piano and vocal performances, prayers, and recognition of Bulloch County community members that sacrificed their lives in armed conflict. See the full agenda below.
Members and officers of the Statesboro American Legion Post 90 will read the intonement of the fallen veterans before introducing keynote speaker retired Major Jeff Odegaard.
Major Odegaard began his United States Army career as an Infantryman, later graduating from the US Army Ranger School, then Attending Officer Candidate and Airborne School. He has received extensive training through advanced military courses and received numerous awards for his service and deployments to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
His merits include The Bronze Star for Service, The Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Joint Services Achievment Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, The National Defence Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.
After retiring from the Army he served as the Senior Army Instructor for Richmond Hill High School’s JROTC program. Later he worked with the Southeast Bulloch High School program for 12 years, during which the Yellow Jacket Battalion earned 13 state championships.
Over 50 young men and women joined the service during his time at SEB. Now he spends his time working at home, with his church and the Emmaus community, as well as helping to coach the Georgia Southern Junior Rifle Club.
After the closing remarks of the ceremony, everyone is invited for a hamburger and hot dog lunch at Post 90 at 100 Rucker Lane, Statesboro, GA.
Grice Connect will live stream the program on our Facebook page for Veterans and community members who may not be able to attend.
The Memorial Day Program - Provided by Organizers
Coffee and doughnuts have been provided by the DAR in the Averitt Center for the Arts prior to the ceremony.
Entertainment (begins at 10:30 am).........................................Isaac Sherrod
Flag Posted…………………………..….Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department
National Anthem……………………………………….…………..Lisa Muldrew
Welcome from Post #90…………………………….……...……....Gary Martin
Opening Prayer………………………………………………..….Mike Skarhus
Pledge of Allegiance……………………………..….Charles “Skip” Campbell
Welcome to the Averitt Center……………………………………Robert Faller
America the Beautiful……………………………………….…….Lisa Muldrew
Armed Forces Medley……………………………………..…….Isaac Sherrod
Intonement of Fallen Veterans of Bulloch County
WWI…………………………….…Bob Marsh
WWII Atlantic Theater……….…..Bill Adams
WWII Pacific Theater……...George Sterling
Korean War………..……………John Daube
Vietnam War……………..…Randy Brigman
Current Hostilities………….…Mike Skarhus
Introduction of Speaker……………………………………………Gary Martin
Keynote Speaker………………………………………………..Jeff Odegaard
Closing Remarks and Thanks…………………………………….Gary Martin
Closing Prayer……………………………………………………Mike Skarhus
God Bless America………………….…..Sung by Everyone in the Audience
Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served at Post #90 after the event. The meal is open to everyone at 100 Rucker Lane.
Thanks to Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens for their generous support. Also, thanks to the Averitt Center for the Arts.
