A large dedicated group of people gathered at the pavilion at Meeker New Hope Cemetery, Monday at 11:30 a.m.
The group gathered to honor active duty, veterans who are no longer serving, and those who died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the US Armed Forces.
Two men from our community gave their lives, Ronnie Johnson (Vietnam War) and James Harris (Korean War).
Rain didn’t stop eight veterans from telling the branch they served in and some details. The following veterans passed away this past year: Arval Winter, WWII Veteran, and J.D. Devereaux and Foy Sellers, Korean Veterans. In 2012, Dick Lee Sr., lost his son Dick Lee Jr and his military working dog to a road side bomb in Afghanistan.
The flags put on Veteran’s graves each year were again done by descendants of the Wilford Marak family. We can’t thank them enough for continuing this tradition. It makes the cemetery look beautiful.
Todd Walker, read the poem, I Am A Veteran by Andrea Brett.
Mike Steele read two poems. One was by Abraham Lincoln and part of the Gettysburg Address. The other one is titled Memorial Day by Alfred Joyce Kilmer.
Carroll Ray Harper read the poem No Freedom Isn’t Free.
Todd Walker raised the flag as the National Anthem was played, and Oscar Randall led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
We have all heard the haunting melody of “TAPS.” It is the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. A recording of TAPS was played and we spent the remainder of the time visiting.
We thank Carroll Ray Harper for his dedication to making this ceremony happen each year.