Five names were added to the list of more than 1,600 local heroes enshrined on the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall on Monday at the city’s annual Memorial Day observance. The five servicemen were recognized for their service and sacrifice for our nation by the hundreds of citizens that attended.
Names added to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall:
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Justin Michael Gullatt, 26, U.S. Navy
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Robert French Kiely, 64, U.S. Army
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Michael Jason Kiernan, 40, U.S. Coast Guard
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Clarence James Roach, 31, U.S. Navy
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Kevin Tyron Williams, 41, U.S. Navy
Mayor Lenny Curry and RADM Scott Buschman, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard 7th District gave keynote remarks during the ceremony, which included wreath laying for the five service members, a 21-gun salute, performances by the 13
th Army Band and Duval County JROTC units.
The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall is a 65-foot-long, black, granite monument that stands behind a torch with an eternal flame. It was dedicated in November 1995 and serves as tribute to nearly 1,700 Jacksonville area heroes who lost their lives in duty since World War I. It is the second largest memorial wall in the nation, only behind the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and it is the only wall that honors all six service branches including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.