This Memorial Day marked the 31st annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade—one of metro Atlanta’s most prominent and meaningful events honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Founded in 1994 by Marvin Atherton, the parade has grown into a proud tradition, featuring more than 90 participating units and drawing over 10,000 spectators. Families begin lining the streets hours before the 10 a.m. step-off, eager to pay their respects and take part in a community-wide tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes. Every entry in the parade is asked to reflect the spirit of Memorial Day, with a clear focus on honoring those who gave their lives in service.

This year, Sterling on the Lake resident Diane Hoffman organized a group of 18 neighbors to walk with the Fallen Heroes of Georgia, each carrying signs bearing the names and faces of fallen service members. The walk was especially personal for Diane, who lost four close connections of her son during a 2019 deployment. The group honored four fallen Army Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson: Master Sergeant Michael Riley, Sergeant First Class Elliott Robbins, Sergeant First Class Will Lindsay, and Sergeant Major James (Ryan) Sartor. Diane’s son, Justin Lascek, served alongside these men and was severely injured during that same deployment, resulting in the loss of both legs below the knee.

Now medically retired, Justin lives in Colorado with his loyal dog. His sacrifice—and the sacrifice of those he served with—continues to shape his family’s life and inspire Diane’s efforts to keep their memory alive.

In 2020, the first Memorial Day after the deaths of the Green Berets, Diane commemorated their lives by walking 50 miles alone with their photos strapped to her back. The following year, she began participating in the Dacula Memorial Day Parade, and has walked in it every year since, each time inviting more members of the community to join her.

This year, the group of walkers included The Sterling Retreat residents Bee Storey, Joe Torrieri, Ann Torrieri, Susan Shenefield, Jordan Shenefield, Mimi Wittkamp, Mike Wittkamp, Jack Frost, Beth Conley, Diane Catalfano, Lainie Portmann, Ron Portmann, Kim Dunford, Tina Hayes, Randy Fowler, Rosemary Tatarski, and Diane Hoffman herself. Their united presence served as a visible tribute, each step a vow to remember.

The past two years in addition to honoring her son’s fellow soldiers, Diane also recognized a fallen hero connected to another Sterling family. The group carried a sign for Sergeant Roy L. Lede, brother of fellow Sterling resident Adrienne White, a U.S. Air Force airman who lost his life in the Vietnam War. 

In coming together to walk and remember, Diane Hoffman and her fellow residents continue to ensure that these names and stories are not forgotten. It’s a reminder that patriotism isn't always loud. Sometimes, it looks like a quiet march, a name held high, and a promise to never forget.