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Veterans, families gather for Memorial Day ceremony in Baldwin County
AlabamaGDELTGDELT event0% biasedTue, May 26, 2026, 12:00 AM
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Veterans, families gather for Memorial Day ceremony in Baldwin County.Veterans, families gather for Memorial Day ceremony in Baldwin County Rain doesn’t deter crowd from honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice SPANISH FORT, Ala.(WALA) - Military veterans and their families across the coast gathered this Memorial Day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.In Baldwin County, the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery was the backdrop for the annual event.The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem by Monika Cosson and ended with the playing of Taps by Walter Butterworth.In between were words of prayer and thanks to those no longer with us who sacrificed everything.Rain didn’t keep a crowd from gathering to honor the fallen.Remembering the fallen Spanish Fort Mayor Brad Bass gave the keynote address.His message helped younger attendees like Liam Lauer get a better grasp of what the day means.His father, grandfather and great grandfather all served in the military.“I’m starting to more understand the importance of remembering all of the people buried here today,” Liam Lauer said.One of them is Liam’s great grandfather.He drove in from Hoover to be there with his father and grandfather.As the ceremony continued, a gentle rain began to fall as visitors made their way to their loved ones’ gravesites.Darlene Gordon-Mattes stood at the grave of her husband, Paul, who was awarded four purple hearts.She brought a single red rose in his honor.“He and so many others fought in the wars and there’s so many more that’s fighting for our country and the ones that’s gone before us and have died in battle and I’m very grateful for everyone that’s gone before us,” Gordon-Mattes said.A short distance away, Gaynell Dumas stood at the grave of her husband, Chuck, a Texas native she was married to for 64 years.She carried yellow roses.“My daughter, Connie comes with me every time.Sometimes my grandson and I miss him every day.We were married 64 years,” Dumas said.“I keep a half a dozen yellow roses in my house at all times because it makes me feel like he’s with me.” The 12-gun salute performed by the U.S.Armed Forces Honor Guard honored all those who’ve died in service.Frank Barrow, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S.Army and Liam’s grandfather, said he’s grateful to those who served before him.“I’m grateful to these folks that served before us and one day I’ll join them out here.We plan to be buried here as well,” Barrow said.Copyright 2026 WALA.All rights reserved.