BELLA VISTA — Richard I. Clark, Navy, Korean War.
Herman E. Swanson, Marine Corps, World War II.
Jack V. Sanders, Coast Guard, World War II.
Those were a few of the three dozen names — each one a veteran from Bella Vista who had died within the last year — called out Monday during the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery. A single clang of a bell followed the reading of each name.
At least 200 people showed up for the event to pay tribute both to those who died fighting for their country and to the veterans who have died since coming home from war.
“May every day be Memorial Day in your hearts,” said Nancy Williams, a retired Navy commander from Bella Vista who led Monday’s ceremony. Williams encouraged the audience to remind friends, neighbors and co-workers of the sacrifices made by military members.
At A Glance
Memorial Day
Memorial Day began shortly after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate with flowers the graves of those soldiers who had died in the war. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. It was not until after World War I the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all U.S. wars. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971 and placed it on the last Monday in May.
Source: U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov
With about 200 large U.S. flags set up throughout the cemetery and singers performing songs such as “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” the ceremony had a strong patriotic feel.
While paying tribute to those who have died, the event also acknowledged the military’s future with several guest speakers representing the Army ROTC from the University of Arkansas.
Master Sgt. Norman Harvey, who oversees the ROTC’s Razorback Battalion, brought three members of the group to discuss what inspired them to want to serve their country.
Second Lt. Andrew Turpin, who recently graduated from the university, joined its ROTC after having been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the Army Reserves. The summer he spent in Afghanistan in 2009 was one of the hardest of his life.
“I can say it was the closest to hell I’ve ever been,” Turpin said.
Despite his record of service, he joined the ROTC when he enrolled at the University of Arkansas.
“There was still so much I needed to learn to be a quality officer,” he said.
Second Lt. Nick Walsingham said the four years he spent in the ROTC program were the best years of his life. He looks forward to a long career in the military, saying there’s no career that offers the same sense of brotherhood.
Williams said the ceremony typically features speakers who are established military leaders.
“This year I wanted to bring something to show people what we can look forward to,” she said. “I thought (the ROTC speakers) did an amazing job.”
Williams is the lead volunteer for Honor Flight, a program which transports local World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to see the World War II National Memorial. She said anyone who knows of a veteran who would like to go on the next trip this fall should call her at 405-473-8239.
Bella Vista’s Memorial Day ceremony has been held each year for at least the past 20 years. Norm Porath, a World War II Army veteran, handles the sound system every year.
“Considering there was rain in the forecast, it was well attended,” said Porath, 86, of Monday’s event. “We had a great crowd. It seems to grow every year.”
Porath served in Italy for a year starting in May 1945, just after Germany surrendered. He said he would have been sent to Japan if not for the atomic bombs dropped there in August 1945 that led to Japan’s surrender.
“I’m lucky to be here,” Porath said.