NORMAN — Although the aroma of freshly grilled hamburgers permeated the air of the Norman Community Center on Monday afternoon, the reason for Memorial Day was not forgotten.

About 90 residents gathered inside the center for the town’s 9th annual Memorial Day Cookout.

“This is the biggest crowd we’ve had,” said Mayor Kenneth Broadway.

The service began with the pledge of allegiance and Caitlyn Batten singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Douglas Walker then stepped up to the microphone to lead the group in a candle-lighting ceremony for wars of the past 75 years with American casualties.

“But before I do that, I’d like to put things in perspective,” he said. “I went on Wikipedia to get the latest numbers on what they say our casualties were from the Revolution to the current date.”

During the American Revolution, he said, the American casualties were more than 25,000. Walker followed with the following statistics:

• War of 1812 – 15,000-plus

• American Civil War – 750,000

• World War I – 116,560

• World War II – 405,399

• Korean War – 36,574

• Vietnam War – 58,220 “…and that number continues to grow.”

• Desert Storm/Desert Shield – 383

• Operation Enduring Freedom -7,222

“These are the ones we want to remember,” he said. “These are the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Walker then lit a candle for those who served and died in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq and Afghanistan with the audience, after each lighting, saying “We remember and give thanks for your sacrifice.”

Don Simmons, owner of Magnolia 23 Restaurant in Asheboro, returned to his hometown to provide food for the event.

“All the food y’all see out there, he basically took care of it,” Broadway said, before dismissing for the meal.

As the crowd ate, Steve Argero provided musical entertainment.

“I’d like to give a ‘Thank you’ to the Normanfest committee who helped me prepare this Memorial Day Cookout,” Broadway said.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

William R. Toler | Daily Journal Douglas Walker lights a candle for the service members killed in each major war since World War II during Norman’s annual Memorial Day Cookout on Monday.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_norman_memday.jpgWilliam R. Toler | Daily Journal Douglas Walker lights a candle for the service members killed in each major war since World War II during Norman’s annual Memorial Day Cookout on Monday.

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By William R. Toler

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