Salute to the troops

“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 1863

By Joanie Morris
Kannapolis Citizen
While more than 100 people gathered at Village Park Monday afternoon to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, a light wind blew, billowing only one of the 51 flags on the field — the stars and stripes of the United States.
Those flags were presented by the A.L. Brown High School JROTC. And while there were many speakers and presentations, there was only one common thread through the program — honoring those who have died for the United States and those who are currently serving.

Local historian Norris Dearmon, who served during World War II, told about the history of the holiday, adding that it was remembered first in 1865 by liberated slaves in Charleston, S.C.
“The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers,” Dearmon told the crowd.
Memorial Day became a national holiday when the U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Bill to create three-day weekends for several of the country’s holiday celebrations, which took effect in 1971 with the first celebration of Memorial Day as a national holiday.
In addition, Dearmon read the names of 90 men who served and died in World War II. Those men’s pictures were displayed on boards at the front of the audience.
After Dearmon read from the list of names, the Kannapolis Police Department provided a rifle salute to the soldiers as “Taps” played over loud speakers. Many wiped tears from their eyes during the program.
While Dearmon read the names, one soldier stood and saluted the men who had died.
Army Specialist Haven Harrison of Mount Pleasant attended the Memorial Day celebration with her mother. Harrison, dressed in Army fatigues, saluted as Dearmon read the list out loud.
She is serving the United States in Iraq in a medical unit.
“I’m on my way back,” Harrison said, before climbing the steps to the Village Park Amphitheater to shake the hands of the men gathered who had fought in many of the previous conflicts. “I’m on R & R (rest and relaxation).”
Harrison said her grandfather served during World War II and she wanted to attend the ceremony to honor him as well as her comrades in Iraq.
“We’ve lost soldiers in my unit,” Harrison said. “It’s important. Memorial Day services keep you grounded.”
Guest speaker Mayor Robert “Bob” Misenheimer told several stories of men and women who had served and died for the United States.
“We gather here to remember all those who have served and died for the freedoms we enjoy,” said Misenheimer, who served in the Korean Conflict.
“This is a unique opportunity to not only honor the dead, but to pause and say thank you to those who have and are currently serving and to their comrades who are missing in action. …
“History records that it is the politicians, and those in power, who start wars and that it is the men and women of their armed forces who pay the price of those wars,” Misenheimer added. “It is a price paid for in separation, stress, blood, suffering, anguish and sometimes death by those who have and are currently serving in our country’s armed forces and their families.”
Misenheimer had one more statement for the citizens of the United States who enjoy freedoms fought for by the men and women of the armed forces.
“What do you say to them when they make the ultimate sacrifice?” Misenheimer asked. “Whether this war is a popular one or not, the sacrifice is the same for the more than one million who have given their lives. …
“For that we owe those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces our undying gratitude, honor, respect and support, not only on this Memorial Day, but every day we as a nation enjoy the fruits of their efforts, sacrifices and service.”
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Contact Joanie Morris at 704-932-3336 or jmorris@kannapoliscitizen.com.