Remembering The Fallen

SOLDIERS MEMORIALIZED; PRAYERS OFFERED FOR THEIR FAMILIES

James Collins lays down flowers on the grave of Jesse Samek on Monday before the start of the 24th annual Memorial Day service at the Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery. Samek, who died Oct. 21, 2004, in Afghanistan, lived in the barracks with Collins while they served in the Air Force. Collins said that even though he didn’t get to know Samek very well while they were deployed, he makes sure to visit Samek’s grave on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. The event included guest speakers 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack and National Patriot Pen winner Lydia McFarlan in addition to a reading of names and rifle salute. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971.
James Collins lays down flowers on the grave of Jesse Samek on Monday before the start of the 24th annual Memorial Day service at the Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery. Samek, who died Oct. 21, 2004, in Afghanistan, lived in the barracks with Collins while they served in the Air Force. Collins said that even though he didn’t get to know Samek very well while they were deployed, he makes sure to visit Samek’s grave on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. The event included guest speakers 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack and National Patriot Pen winner Lydia McFarlan in addition to a reading of names and rifle salute. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971.

— Fallen soldiers were memorialized and prayers offered for their families during the 24th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery.

About 400 attended the hourlong ceremony, filling the flag-lined shade.

Paul Herrick and his wife, Kathy, came in honor of Paul's brother Lt. James W. Herrick, who went missing in Laos on Oct. 27, 1969. Both men served in the Air Force.

It is important not to forget, Paul Herrick said, especially on Memorial Day.

Some paid the ultimate sacrifice, said Kathy Herrick.

“It's important to remind and teach the children of today not to take for granted the freedoms that we have. They came with a price,” she said.

Memorial Day is a tough holiday, said Shelaine Coleman, first vice commander American Legion Post 341. It was nice, she said, to see the crowd take a break from a day often reserved for barbecues and remember the fallen.

Coleman served with the Marines from 1995 to 2007.

“Every day is Memorial Day for me,” Coleman said. “You remember those who served.”

The ceremony included a rifle salute from the Bella Vista Veterans Honor Guard. Lydia McFarlan read her winning National Patriot Pen essay and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) addressed the crowd. He told stories of sacrifices made in military service and noted that it is ironic so many of those who deserve to mark such a holiday serve still.

“We cannot do enough for them,” he said.

Holding the memory of what others have done is important, said members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9063.

Commander James Edmondson served in the Navy during the Vietnam era. Senior Vice President Danielle Leitch served in the Army in Kosovo. Just finding someone who knows where she has been can be a challenge, Leitch said. Knowing their service is not forgotten is important, the two said.

Memorial Day is for all who have served, Leitch said. Whether they were called upon to put their lives on the line or not, they decided they were willing at enlistment.

“The people who are in these graves and those of us who are still living gave this country a blank check,” Leitch said.

The ceremony offers one day a year to veterans and to the families of the fallen, Edmondson said.

“At least one day a year somebody can come up and say, 'thank you,'” he said.

About1,500 flags were placed to mark veteran gravesites for the day. Organizers said the day went well with strong attendance.

“It's a great thing to have,” said Charles Whitford, retired Army Air Corps.

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