Apopka remembers those "who followed the last line" in annual Memorial Day Service

Apopka remembers.

The Apopka Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10147 and the City of Apopka sponsored its annual Memorial Day service at the Edgewood/Greenwood Cemetery this morning.

Artie Vecchio, Commander of Apopka VFW Post 10147, hosted the event. Erica Bradford sang "The Star Spangled Banner", and Carlos Adams sang "America the Beautiful".

William Boyd gave the keynote address.

"It's an honor to speak here today, and it's also humbling," Boyd said. "Not only here but throughout America, we pause to remember who gave their lives for our freedoms. In the code of the United States Fighting Force, the very first article says this: 'I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.' Today we are here to remember those who followed that last line and gave their life in defense of the United States."

Mayor Joe Kilsheimer and all four Apopka City commissioners; Doug Bankson, Kyle Becker, Billie Dean and Diane Velazquez attended the service. Among other elected officials past and present in attendance were Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson, former Orange County Commissioner Fred Brummer, and Orange County School Board member Christine Moore.