PHOTO GALLERY - 2025 Memorial Day Service

The 2025 Memorial Day Service was observed at Barbourville City Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2025, in traditional fashion.

The ceremony was led by Lt. Jacob Cook, US Army Kentucky National Guard, with invocation by Chaplain (CPT) Michael Hartley, US Army National Guard, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Knox Central JROTC.

The Barbourville Memorial Day Choir, under the direction of Eric Evans, performed the national anthem, and again performed special music following the keynote address, which was delivered by Maj. Tyler Shields, who also serves as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Barbourville.

Special honors were presented to James Gaddis (not present) and Garrett Garland for service to their country. Both men were honored with an engraved shell casing.

A gun salute was delivered by the Salute Battery 138th Fire Brigade, US Army KY National Guard, followed by the traditional playing of taps by Jared Ferguson.

Special recognitions for the event went to the members of the board for the City Cemetery; to Bill and Lee Frazier for providing sound equipment; to the Knox County Drug Court and Mountain Lodge for placing of American flags throughout the cemetery; and to other organizations participating in the service: American Legion, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Watch the full service here:

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