NORMAN - The American flag on the square fell limp and at half-mast as the annual Norman Memorial Day Service began Monday evening.
With about eighty people in attendance at the Norman Community Building, Ms. Caitlin Batten opened the service by singing the National Anthem.
Rev. Dena White and veteran Don Walker lit candles in memory of fallen soldiers from past wars to our present generation of military service people. All in attendance stood to pay homage to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Mr. Junior Roscoe from Hamlet entertained the crowd while they enjoyed a great meal of hot dogs and homemade desserts. Helping sponsor the event were Triple L Farm, Bojangles, and Richmond County Tourism.
This reporter asked several veterans this question: “What does Memorial Day mean to you?" Some veterans got choked-up but several did answer.
Mr. Wayne McIntyre, who served nine years in the Marine Corps, answered the question by saying, “I think about the men and women in all our wars that gave their lives in my stead and I was able to come home to live a productive life.”
Mr. Don Walker, a three-year veteran and having thirty-seven years with the Department of Defense said, “It’s a way to honor those who served and died for the rest of us.”
Mr. Lee Freeman, a Marine veteran said, “It’s a way to honor our brothers that didn’t make it home.”
Another veteran, Dale Whittington, said, “It brings back memories of many faces that are no longer here.”
Mayor Kenneth Broadway talked about his dad, Bernard Broadway, and his two uncles who fought in World War Two. All three returned home but were scarred for life. His dad, having been shot in the head and taken prisoner by the Germans, received the Purple Heart, Silver, and Bronze Stars for his service.
Wayne McIntyre told the story of his neighbor, Everette Chappell, who volunteered for service just two days before the Korean War broke out. During the war Mr. Chappell was listed as M.I.A. but it was later learned he was held in a Korean P.O.W. camp never to return home to his family.
Mr. Phillip Williams said of some of his fellow soldiers, “They were there and then they were gone.”
Mr. Robert McCormick summed it all up by saying, “Memorial Day is a day we honor those who sacrificed their own lives for our freedom.”
