War dead remembered Memorial Day

War dead remembered Memorial Day

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Remember those who gave their lives while serving in the military and defending the United States during a time of war.

That was the message of the Memorial Day service held Monday at the Fallen Veterans Monument at Dewitt DeWeese Park. 

A good crowd gathered to honor the nation’s war dead, especially those who came from Neshoba County.

“We don’t know them all but we owe them all the gratitude,” said SSgt. (retired) Tony Stewart of the American Legion Post 238 in his opening devotion. 

“So, this day shall be to the fallen soldiers, the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country, to protect us from danger and harm,” he said.

The program started with the presentation of colors, the the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. The Gold Star mothers were recognized.

The guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Hubbard, was a familiar face to many. He served with the 298th Combat Support Battalion in Philadelphia for several years. Hubbard spoke about the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located at Arlington National Cemetery.

“We have many national cemeteries across our nation,” Hubbard said. “Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are special.”

Arlington Cemetery was established in 1864. In November 1921, an unidentified service member received a state funeral ceremony and was interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

One hundred years ago, our nation laid to rest an unidentified American who fell in the First World War, Hubbard said.

“For many who came to pay their respects, this unknown soldier came to represent their unknown soldier,” Hubbard said. “Their brother, father, son or friend, who died aboard and was not identified or buried, far from home. During the early years, thousands came to mourn the tomb and pay their respects not only to that soldier but to all the soldiers he represented.”

After Hubbard spoke, the names of the Neshoba County war dead were read, grouped by the war in which they fell.

Afterward, there was a singing of God Bless America, and a gun salute by the 367th Maintenance Co. Taps was played and the program concluded.

This ceremony was special to Jarvis Winstead who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.

“I attend this program every year,” Winstead said. “I was in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. Some of the people I was with got killed. You never get over something like that. It is just a situation that is hard to get over.”

Winstead volunteered for the Marines. After his active duty service, he joined the Army National Guard and served until 1992.

God has blessed the United States, 87-year-old veteran Wendell Jackson said after the ceremony.

“Memorial Day is one of the greatest days we have to commemorate in America…. God has blessed this country in such a marvelous way to recognize what he has provided for us through our military here and abroad, both men and women,” he said. 

Jackson was one of eight Neshoba County brothers who served the country. Five of his older brothers even served in WWII at the same time. 

At the end of WWII Jackson said his father took his shotgun and fired it three times in recognition of the end of the war. 

“We have received much, much more than we will ever be able to repay and I believe part of my ministry is to serve others,” Jackson said.

Stanley Backstrom said his uncle, John Henry Backstrom, died in 1951 and they still have not found his remains. 

“To pay tribute to those that died and when I think about this day I think about my uncle,” he said.

Three generations of Ray Crocker’s family have served. His grandfather served in France and his father served during WWII. 

Crocker, 77, has served 32 years in the military with 22 and a half of those years on active duty. 

He has two sons both of whom are colonels. His oldest son commanded the 367th Maintenance Company when they deployed to Iraq. 

“Memorial day represents freedom… without the soldiers that paid the ultimate price in order for us to have the freedom we have today… one life is too much to give and the thousands of people that were lost during conflict gave us the freedom to live the way we want and be free,” Crocker said.

He said his advice to young people on Memorial Day is, “Don’t forget what happened and what we have…. people died for what we have today and we have to remember that in order to keep our freedom.”

Don’t worry about who gets credit, he said, “just do things out of the goodness of your heart.”

State Sen. Jenifer Branning and Rep. Scott Bounds were recognized for their work to bring in state funds to help pay for the new Fallen Veterans Monument. 

“It has been an honor for me to have been a part of this,” Branning said. “We as a community need to remember who got us where we are, not just on Memorial Day but every day. Having this monument in our community will help us to pass the gratitude along to the next generation.”






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