Dedication to service celebrated at Bird Key's Memorial Day ceremony

Community members on Bird Key spent the evening of Memorial Day on the grounds outside the building site of their new clubhouse. Several residents joined in the large-scale Sarasota parade recognizing servicemen and servicewomen before preparing for the smaller, more intimate ceremony with the yacht club.

The color guard included Mark Akerman, Jay Plager and Past Commodore Michael Landis, who marched alongside professional bagpiper Gemma Briggs to "God Bless America."

Then, with trumpeter Kevin Celebi of St. Pete accompanying, BKYC Vice Commodore Saul Landesberg and Commodore Tony Britt offered commendations to those who served and died for their country.

"We want to thank everyone for being here today as we remember the true meaning of Memorial Day," Britt said. "This is not just a holiday marking the beginning of the traditional summer season. It is also a day of reflection and gratitude."

He continued, "As we go about our day, enjoying time with friends and family, let's not forget the purpose of today. Let's always carry the memory of our fallen heroes in our hearts, today and every day."

The approximate 100 attendees then joined in a moment of silence before Briggs played out the guard with "Amazing Grace."

Joe Hayden was one of those members who attended the Bird Key and Sarasota ceremonies, both of which he thought paid meaningful respects to those who passed.

He joined the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating from high school. He then served in the Navy from 1980 to 1993.

Hayden said he traveled extensively while based primarily out of Virginia, Jacksonville and California before returning to the academy in Annapolis as an instructor. He also is a current member of the Navy League of the United States.

To any new members now entering the service, he acknowledged that there is a lot of dialogue surrounding global affairs. However, he said his best advice is to focus on the principles that motivated them to join military service.

"They make an oath, and that oath to the service of their country is important and serious," he said. "When you swear that you are going to protect the Constitution and serve the country, that's really what it's all about."

Monday was also a meaningful evening for Plager, husband of BKYC Rear Commodore Lynne Pettigrew. He served for 11 years in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War and emerging as a commander.

"The Navy is a great service," he said. "I was a navigator on a large ship, the USS — believe it or not — Sarasota."

He said he also toured aboard the famous battleship USS Missouri.

When asked what Memorial Day means to him now, Plager said he looks at it through the lens of being a federal judge with the U.S. Court of Appeal.

"One of our jobs, as a judge, is to ensure that the Constitution is being honored and followed, and the rights of citizens are being protected," he said. "That is one of our major responsibilities. Memorial Day gives recognition to what we, over the many years and through all the wars, fought to protect. We lost a lot of good people, but they fought for a good cause."