Veterans, patriots and their families crowded into the area surrounding the ever-growing Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park Monday morning for the community's annual Memorial Day service, honoring the nation's servicemen and women.
"Ceremonies are being held all across this land to express our gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice. Thankfully, most of our heroes are able to carry out their missions and return home safely to their friends and loved ones," said U.S. Air Force veteran Wayne Bell.
After visitors participated in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem, Silver Star recipient U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael R. West gave the keynote address.
West was described as a "true American hero," someone who spent 30 years of his life dedicated to protecting the nation's freedom. He received the Silver Star for heroic actions that resulted in saving the lives of over 50 fellow soldiers over a six-day period and is one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the area, Bell said.
"We've all gathered on this quiet Memorial Day to honor some of our greatest heroes. It is a tremendous honor to stand here with you today, among fellow Americans who share my respect commemorating the sacrifices of the men and women who have laid down their lives in a service to our nation," West said.
"In the line of duty in this country, it does not matter how much time has passed, no words of condolences can even adequately begin to console the survivor's grief," he said.
West spoke to the crowd about the origins of Memorial Day and how its beginnings are traced back to the South following the Civil War. Many soldiers who fought in the war wanted to find a way to remember their "battle buddies," he said.
"Pretty soon, it kind of carried over and had an effect that caused other states to pick up on it. It was by about 1890 that we had all the states on board. Eventually, Congress got involved and we now have a day like today where we honor our fallen," he said.
"Two years ago, I had the privilege of being invited to jump into Normandy, France, to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion. I had my dad there, I had my family, and some extended family members there and after the jump, we were able to walk the beaches of Normandy," he said.
West described the "unbelievable" feelings he experienced walking along the beach where thousands of Americans and other coalition partners came ashore one after another. As he walked through a graveyard atop a hill, West realize the number of lives lost on that fateful day solidified what exactly Memorial Day means to him.
"Or it's maybe our local heroes, like Lt. Burke ... the guy who turned around. He was in Korea and had already been rewarded the Silver Star and he sent it home. He had a plane ticket home but his battle buddies (needed him.) He heard it on the radio that they were in a big fight. They were trying to take a hill and just not getting anywhere," he said.
"He said, 'Man, I can't leave' even though he had a wife and a child back here in Arkansas. He was being called back because the lives of his buddies were on the line," West continued.
West said Burke found only about 30 badly beaten men from the company alive but he rallied them to return to the fight. Burke charged back up the hill and helped his company take the hill, West said. He was later recognized with the Medal of Honor and retired a colonel.
West also spoke of several other Arkansas heroes, including Maj. Gen. Lewis Lyle, who completed 69 tours as a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II, and U.S. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown of Hot Springs, who was killed in Afghanistan.
"It these individuals and so many like them who have lived on as some of the most courageous heroes in our history. we must ensure these heroes are never forgotten and their actions stay alive in our memories," West said.
U.S. Air Force veteran Dick Antione served as the master of ceremonies. VFW Post 2278 Honor Guard led the advance and retirement of colors, as well as the firing of the volleys. Chairman of the Memorial Committee, Jo West-Davis, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chaplin Kevin Tuohy of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter Five led the invocation and benediction. Angie Ezikel, also known by her stage name, Sylvia Stems, led the national anthem and a special tribute of "America the Beautiful" for veterans.
Memorial wreaths, honoring fallen soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism, and POW/MIA were posted by members of the VFW Post 2278 Ladies Auxiliary. A Bible was used to honor the Purple Heart recipients this year. Ross Rumore, a retired Marine bugler, played taps.
Local on 05/29/2018