Memorial Day service honors fallen, discusses mental health

DOBBINS HEIGHTS — The Dobbins Heights Community Center was home to a Memorial Day Service Monday morning.

The event was not held last year due to COVID-19. Dobbins Heights Council Member Angeline David said this has been the 10th celebration that they’ve hosted for Memorial Day.

“Today, just think about someone, even if you don’t know them, who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue, who served 24 years in the U.S. Army.. “For us to be able to do all the things that we do everyday and take for granted.”

The Richmond County Partnership for Children Executive Director Katrina Chance gave the featured speech at the event. Chance is an Army Veteran who has a daughter that is an active-duty soldier. She focused on the mental heath of Veteran’s and honored those that have fallen.

“For countless families across the nation, Memorial Day is a stark and often painful reminder of those who never came home,” Chance said. “Their sacrifice was a true expression of selfless service. Let’s take this day to really celebrate someone other than ourselves.”

She said that 22 service members commit suicide every day in the United States.

Chance recognized Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, who repeatedly entered a burning vehicle in Iraq to save six soldiers. He died a few weeks later.

Cash is the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“The bitter reality of war and military service, in general, is not everyone will make it home,” Chance concluded in her speech. “And when some come home, some will take their own life. Let us strive to remember to the example set by such selfless service like Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe.”