‘Freedom is not free’: Veterans honored at Linwood Cemetery

The Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation held a Memorial Day program recognizing fallen veterans and highlighting preservation efforts at historic Linwood Cemetery

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – At Linwood Cemetery, the Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation is honoring fallen veterans while working to preserve the history surrounding them.

“We feel it is our honor to recognize our fallen soldiers and those who have dedicated their lives in the time of war,” said Yolanda Lattimore president of the Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation.

According to the Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation, Linwood Cemetery was established in 1894 and holds thousands of burials including veterans from the Spanish American War to present conflicts.

This year’s program also honored AMVETS Post 411 for supporting veterans and preserving the cemetery.

U.S. Navy veteran Willie May, who served from 1965 to 1969 during the Vietnam War, says Memorial Day carries deep meaning.

“With everything that is going on in the world today, we tend to forget that freedom is not free,” he said. “That there was a price paid, and every Veterans Day and Memorial Day, which is today, I try to give back and participate in any event that would help us bring back and remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

May says remembering that sacrifice should not be limited to one day. He hopes events like these encourage people to keep that history alive year round.

“We need to do it throughout the year,” he said. “365 days a year we need to remember.”