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Memorial Day ceremony pays tribute to veterans

Stuttgart Daily Leader - 6/3/2017

June 01--"We welcome you here today to honor those who served their country with dignity and honor," commented Marvell Mayor and Phillips County Judge Clark Hall as he addressed a near capacity crowd at Monday's annual Memorial Day celebration. The traditional event was held in the fellowship hall of the community's First United Methodist Church.

Patriotic music, friendly fellowship and hot dogs were the order of the day for this solemn occasion.

Rev. Gary Maskell, serving as master of ceremonies stated, "Thanks to our great heroes, we are still one nation under God."

Bill Heidelberger, 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, was the keynote speaker for the day. He gave a brief history of Memorial Day, or as it was once called just after the Civil War, Decoration Day. He noted that the United States boasted a population of approximately 31 and 1/2 million people in the 1860s. In the most devastating war this nation was ever involved 620,000 Americans lost their lives.

Fast-forwarding to the 1940s during the U.S.'s involvement in World War II, the population of the country stood at 132 million strong. A total of 407,000 Americans died in the battle to stop the spread of Nazism across Europe and the world.

Heidelberger stated that just after the Civil War May 30 was selected as a special day to remember those who died in the war and a special occasion to decorate or clean up the grave sites. More recently, the special day was changed to the last Monday in May and called Memorial Day.

"I don't particularly like this holiday," stated Heidelberger. "It takes away the solemness of the occasion. For me, it brings back a lot of bad memories. Those who established Memorial Day meant well."

Heidelberger recalled some of his comrades that gave their life during the Vietnam War.

"Each time I go to visit a war memorial, I am reminded that every name has a story," stated Heidelberger.

"They really didn't give their life for their country," he said. "It was torn away from them. However, they all had one thing in common -- they were willing to serve."

Heidelberger went on to say that you don't have to be in the military to serve your country. He praised the work of first responders who daily save lives of people from car wrecks, fires and other disasters.

In conclusion, Heidelberger quoted President Kennedy who said, " Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

"Make this world a better place because you were here," he said. "What you accomplish is limited only by how much time you are willing to sacrifice to serve."

Before the conclusion of the ceremony, five surviving Purple Heart recipients were honored as well as the oldest veteran in attendance Floyd Crisp, who confessed he was over 90. The event ended with the playing of taps and a prayer by Rev. Maskell.

Afterwards, lunch was provided by the Marvell Civic Club.

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