Memorial Day 2025 observed in Hillsboro
Pictured (l-r) at the 2025 Memorial Day observance in Hillsboro are flutist Jennie Harner, vocalist Dianna Coffey, guest speaker USAF Master Sgt. (ret.) James Lyle, sound technician Brian Vance, and VFW Post 9094 Commander Rick Wilkin. In the background, are members of the Hillsboro High School marching band. (Photos by Rory Ryan/The Highland County Press.)
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
Longtime Hillsboro firefighter, EMA director and U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant (ret.) Jim Lyle was the guest speaker at the Hillsboro Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 26.
Lyle thanked and applauded all citizens who attended the service. He discussed all the U.S. veterans who lost their lives serving the nation in wartime from the Civil War to the present day.
Lyle also mentioned September 11, 2001 and all the fallen firefighters and police officers after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the thwarted attack in Pennsylvania. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane was crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 2,977 people from 90 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed at the Pentagon; and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.
Lyle spoke in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project, which support wounded U.S. service members and their families. He also read an excerpt from "Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops," by Emily Compagno, a co-host of the daytime news and talk show "Outnumbered" on Fox News.
VFW Post 9094 Commander Rick Wilkin was the emcee of the Hillsboro services and introduced Lyle following an opening prayer by Highland County Auditor and United States Army Reservist Capt. Alex Butler.
Other speakers included Highland County Commission President Brad Roades, Highland County Veterans Service Commission member Dwight Reynolds, Highland County Veterans Service Officer Cailin Hoskins, and Highland County Veterans Service Outreach Coordinator/Fiscal Officer Steph Roland, who read the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
The Hillsboro High School marching band, along with Coffey and Harner, performed each branch of service's song, inviting veterans from each respective branch to stand and be recognized:
• U.S. Coast Guard, “Semper Paratus;”
• U.S. Air Force, “The Air Force Song;”
• U.S. Navy, “Anchors Aweigh;”
• U.S. Marine Corps, “The Marine Corps Hymn;” and
• U.S. Army, “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”
At the end of the ceremony, the Highland County Honor Guard provided the three-volley salute, along with the playing of “Taps."
Wilkin thanked Hillsboro High School band director Kevin Grow, sound technician Brian Vance, vocalist Dianna Coffey and flutist Jennie Harner, Rick and Sherry Tipton for their work on the Veterans Memorial at Liberty Park, Cub Scout Pack 120, Jevin Watson for setting up the bleachers, and all the veterans and citizens in attendance. James Lyle delivered the benediction.
Hillsboro VFW Post 9094 provided a luncheon and refreshments at the Post following the service.
Below, Highland County Commission President Brad Roades reads the commissioners' proclamation for Memorial Day 2025.
Pictured below are members of the Highland County Veterans Honor Guard.
