Speaking on behalf of all Georgians, Governor Sonny Purdue honored the state’s fallen service members on Thursday as he hosted a Memorial Day service in Atlanta.

Some 137 Georgia Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror were honored by name during the ceremony. Among them were 28 Georgia Guardsmen.

“We have a long history of sacrifice and a distinguished legacy of service in our nation’s military,” said the Governor. “Every fallen warrior in more than two centuries of history is part of that tradition including the 137 service members we… honor today.

Governor Purdue, who has a long history of remembering Georgia’s fallen, hosted a statewide memorial service and moment of silence at the State Capitol in 2005 shortly after Georgia’s 48th Brigade Combat Team suffered several casualties.

“We are a state and a people who understand that liberty and life are not without sacrifice. And as a people we are willing to defend the call of freedom here, and around the world,” he said.

Major General Terry Nesbitt, Georgia’s Adjutant General, had the honor to introduce retired Lieutenant General Russel Honore who was guest speaker for the event.

“Though he’s been compared to a movie he-man, General Honore is also a man of compassion – one who respects and remembers the men and women in uniform who have given the ultimate sacrifice” said General Nesbit. “It is an honor to have him with us today.”
During his remarks, Honore paid special honor to the more than 200 family members of Georgia’s fallen warriors who were the special guests in attendance.

“On this day we pause to recognize the contributions of your loved ones and also some one million men and women who have given their lives in defense of this country,” Honore told the families, friends and loved ones. “We share all or their pain and we share your pain.”
In a solemn tribute to the fallen heroes, each fallen service members name was read aloud with their photos shown on the giant TV screens flanking the podium. Among those reading the names were 1st Lt. Lisa Williamson, Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Russell and Maj. Jacqueline Jackson, all Georgia Guard members

Chaplain Colonel John Owing, the Georgia Guard’s State Chaplain, provided the benediction.

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