Those who served and have since passed were remembered by a local church congregation last weekend.
Members of Bunker Hill Baptist Church dedicated a memorial on Sunday to church members who had been in the military. The memorial features bricks with the names of veterans. Many of those on the list have passed away and some of the names date back to the Civil War.
“Even though many of them are dead, they still speak,” the Rev. Randy Gardner, pastor of Bunker Hill Baptist Church, said. “This is something we should continue. It should grow. We have a tendency to forget what it cost for our freedom. Let us never forget.”
The service Sunday was two-fold, with the dedication service taking place outdoors first. It included a parade of flags, which included flags representing the branches of the military, POWs and MIAs and law enforcement and first responders.
“We also want to honor those who are here because too often we forget to honor them while they are still here to enjoy it, we wait until they are gone,” Dave Brown, chairman of the deacons, said. “This is an honor service and a memorial service to all of our men and women of our armed services and those who have served our community in law enforcement and fire protection. We’re here to dedicate our wonderful bell tower and flag pole and the names on the bricks.”
The ceremony included the lowering of the old American flag by members of American Legion Post 90. The flag was then presented to Homer Carl Boone, the oldest veteran who is an active church member. Boone offered a salute as he was handed the flag. A new flag was raised as the Star Spangled Banner was played.
From there, there service moved indoors into the sanctuary for a service filled with patriotic songs and tributes. Joe Loftin sang “Proud to be an American,” and Melvin Grant performed “True Red, White and Blue.”
Gardner spoke briefly about the meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices made.
“Memorial Day has always been a special time for me, but it never really got as special in my mind until I was probably about a junior in high school,” Gardner, a veteran himself, said. “One of my friends that I’d gone to school with all of my life and played football with, who was a few years older than I was got drafted. He told me as he was leaving, ‘Well probably the next time you see me, I’ll be in a box.’ And he was. Memorial Day has always had a special place in my heart for these men, who went out and who served and were willing to give their all.”
Gardner then quoted an inscription on the monument.
“As it says right there on the monument; All gave some, some gave all,” he said. “To all who were willing to give; thank you. This weekend is for remembering those thousands upon thousands of men and women who have given their very lives for the freedoms that you and I enjoy today. Had it not been for them, it’s quite possible that couldn’t have met here today in this sanctuary. Because of them and what they fought for, without hesitation we could come into God’s presence to thank God for all that he has done today. They were willing to sacrifice their lives because they believed in this great nation and what it stood for. We owe a debt of gratitude to them.”
Pictured Above: Members of American Legion Post 90 carefully fold the American flag that was lowered during a ceremony at Bunker Hill Baptist Church Sunday. | Photo by Mark Rogers
