People in Wilkes County joined with thousands of other Georgians last Thursday to mourn the sons and daughters that Georgia has lost in the war in Iraq.

A small, somber crowd, which included several family members of men lost in Iraq, prayed and wept as pastors of Wilkes Ministers United conducted a ceremony that culminated with two minutes of silence at 1 p.m.

Governor Sonny Perdue had called for the vigil and moment of silence two weeks ago after the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard suffered deaths for the third time in ten days. Four more Georgia soldiers have been killed since then, bringing the unit’s losses to 16 just since it deployed to Iraq in June.

After opening remarks by Rev. Tom Stillwell, Rev. John Via read a scripture selection from Revelation, and the song “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood was played.

Saying that Georgians were “bound by deep and steadfast respect, to honor the brave military men and women who have given their lives in the service for our country,” Rev. Kathy Lamon said that too often Americans were so wrapped up in their daily lives that they gave no thought to the men and women in the armed forces.

“We forget that the life we are able to live, a life of freedom and choice, a life of free speech and opportunity, is one that comes at the ultimate cost – the very lives of those who serve in our armed forces.”

Rev. Lamon noted that just the day before, notification had come of four more deaths of Georgia soldiers in Iraq, bringing the total to 60. Four of the state’s total number came from nearby: Marine Lance Corporal Phil Scarborough of Washington; Sgt. Foster Pinkston of Warrenton; and Sergeant James O. Kinlowe and Command Sergeant Major Jerry Wilson of Thomson.

Then as Rev. Randy Hardy slowly read the name and hometown of each of the fallen Georgia soldiers, Rev. Lamon tolled a bell for each one. When all the names had been read, the crowd on The Square in Washington joined their counterparts across the state and stood silently for two minutes, and prayed. Rev. Randy Hardy (at podium) reads the list of fallen Georgians as Rev. Kathy Lamon (right) tolls a bell for each during the ceremony on The Square last week.