“At 10:00 a.m. this Monday, May 29th in the vicinity of the Essex County War Memorial, residents from Essex County and the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck will remember ALL service members who have died protecting the Constitution and the Citizens of this nation.
“This year’s ceremony will honor Essex County native son Lance Corporal Richard Everett Barrett, USMC, who was killed 40 years ago when Marine Barracks Beirut was blown up on October 23, 1983. Presentations will be made to Barrett’s family, and James Edward “Ed” Brown, traveling from his home in Florida’s panhandle, will offer remarks about his service and survival that day as a 22-year-old Navy corpsman in Beirut. Singing will be led by a local Military Veterans Combined Choir, and there will be wreath laying followed by the playing of Taps at the conclusion of the ceremony, which will be in person. Participants are asked to bring their own seating. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the old Beale sanctuary.’
