Azure West/Jefferson Jimplecute
Small American flags waved in the morning breeze at the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday.
The flags secured in the ground of the Oakwood Cemetery alongside each headstone of a person who served in a branch of the military. Marking their final resting place.
Master of Ceremony, Judge Leward LaFluer, welcomed the crowd who gathered around the red topped tent where participating members in the solemn celebration were seated. Following the opening prayer, given by Horace Graham, the Marshall High School JROTC Color Guard Posted the Colors as the service was set into motion.
The Buckner Family played several roles in the day’s events. As the family made their way to the stage to sing the National Anthem, the three young women would also have solo contributions to observance.
“The contemporary Soldier’s Cross consists of the rifle which is key to a service member’s survival. The bayonet is thrust into the ground signifying that the one who died perished in battle and paid the ultimate sacrifice.” Grace Buckner explained as she read Richard Young’s ‘The Battlefield Cross.’
Marlene Cooper’s voice rang through the grounds as she sang the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic.’ Invoking an emotional response from the crowd as some wiped away fallen tears from their eyes.
Lily Buckner’s reading of the ‘Gettysburg Address’ segwayed into the Guest Speaker of the day, Reverend John Himes. Before Himes was ordained, he served as a police officer, an investigator and served over 20 years in the Army in various roles.
The reverend’s words echoed across the gated grounds and over the rolling hills of green grass as he spoke. “…We do it by standing up for all people in our land, not just a chosen few. Every person. Every man, woman and child are equally important.”
The Army veteran goes on to say, “Each human life is important and precious in the eyes of God. The should be precious in our eyes as well. You see, if we devalue one life, we devalue all life.”
Following Himes’ address, the ‘Armed Forces Medley’ played through. Service men and women were asked to stand while their branch was acknowledged in song.
When the song concluded, Paullette Cooper read “In Flanders Fields.” A war poem written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
Melodic musical notes came to life when Hannah Buckner played her violin solo of ‘America the Beautiful.’ This musical performance set up the reading of “The Thirteen Folds of the Flag” delivered by the JROTC Color Guard.
Barb Glock, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, delivered a tearful and moving reading outlining the POW/MIA Remembrance Table. The description of each item on the table was given to the crowd to illustrate it’s importance.
American Legion Post Commander, Ken Tomlinson and VFW Commander, John Cooper spoke their appreciations to those that had helped bring the event together preluding the Lowing of the Colors to Half-Staff performed by the JROTC Color Guard.
The Diamond Don Cannon Brigade fired six rounds as the cannons blasted through the still air. As the sound of cannon fire loomed in the air, a trumpet sounded in the distance.
TAPS played through before the commemoration concluded with Howard Blatch’s bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.”