DAR keeps veterans memories alive in Never Forgotten Garden

Nov. 20—Last Tuesday, the Thomasville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a ceremony to dedicate the newly designed and landscaped Never Forget Garden at the Garden Center.

After invocation and a presentation of the colors led by the Thomas County Central High School Army JROTC Color Guard, Charlotte Brown, regent of the Thomasville Chapter of DAR, said that the collaboration with the Thomasville Garden Club to create this new facet of the Garden Center, began in October.

"Last October, the Thomasville Chapter DAR met with the Thomasville Garden Club about creating a Never Forget Garden at the Garden Center," she said. "Our organizations worked together on landscaping and design for the garden, selection of flowers and plants, adding a bench and the Never Forget Garden marker. We initiated this project to make sure those who have sacrificed so much are never forgotten. Today we are here to dedicate this Garden."

Speaking on the arrangement, Brown said that every flower, plant and tree involved in the Never Forget Garden is a symbol of love and unity that pays homage to the sacrifice of service men and women.

"Every flower, plant or tree planted is a symbol of love and unity," Brown said. "Here are some examples of the meaning of the plants: the White Rose, the official flower of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents purity and innocence. White roses were used in the bouquet that was placed on the casket, thus designating the Unknown Soldier in 1921."

She went on to to explain the other flowers involved in the arrangement, from the courage and love of the red rose, to the hope and resistance that the daisy stood for.

Brown also read aloud the words engraved into the Never Forget Garden's marker.

"Here are the words written on the Never Forget Garden Marker," she said. "This Garden is a living tribute to all of America's veterans and their families. In silence and respect, this is a place to remember why millions of Americans have fought and died for our liberty and our freedom. Here we renew our promise to fulfill America's sacred duty to never forget. Here we renew our mutual pledge to support them with 'our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.'"

A call for remembrance and prayer were held during the dedication ceremony, with Drusilla Bennett, the chaplain of the Thomasville Chapter of DAR, aiding in the dedication ritual.

Brown said that this new garden, and this ceremony, represented one of America's sacred commitments to never forget or forsake the veterans or principles that have defined Americans and continue to do so.

"This is one of our sacred commitments — to never, ever, forget or forsake our veterans or the principles that define us as Americans," Brown said. "Through this garden we will express our profound love, sorrow, respect, and gratitude in those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of America and their families."

After taps was played, performed by Jim Maxheimer, Brown made closing remarks and invited those in attendance to a reception inside the Garden Center.

"This Never Forget Garden is the culmination of many hours of planning and work by a variety of volunteers," she said. "Thank you to Joanne Maxheimer and members of the Thomasville Garden Clubs, Lt. Colonel Kevin Ingram, Sergeant First Class Jason Dinkins and the Thomas County Central High School Army JROTC Color Guard, Harry Tomlinson, Jim Maxheimer, Mary Tomlinson for chairing this service project and members of the Thomasville Chapter DAR. And thank you for being here today for this dedication."

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