A patriotic ceremony was held at the Veterans Wall in Wilson Park at 11 AM on Memorial Day before a small crowd of 14, including firefighters from Maynardville and Luttrell, and legionnaires from American Legion Post 212. Chaplain Arnold Smallin led a prayer to open the event, followed by comments from Commander Darrell White.
He highlighted sacrifices made by those who lost their lives during Pearl Harbor, and thousands who succumbed to the elements at Korea’s “frozen” Chosin Reservoir. Commander White highlighted one hero, Air Force Staff Sergeant Pitsenbarger (“Pits”) who was a pararescue jumper who voluntarily helped a company of soldiers surrounded and outnumbered by Viet Cong. Pits epitomized the motto of pararescue jumpers: “These things we do…that others may live.” The 21-year-old fought to his death, and his body was found with his rifle in one hand and medical bag in the other. The families started, and children produced, by those he rescued will always be Staff Sergeant Pitsenbarger’s legacy.
To honor the legacy of the fallen, as well as POWs-MIAs (Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action), we should all commit to the freedom offered by the greatest nation on earth. Remembering and honoring the legacies of those who didn’t make it back is the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The true way to honor the fallen is to live worthy of their sacrifice. That means strengthening our communities, helping our veterans, supporting our military families and teaching the next generation what this day truly means.
We must tell their stories.
We must speak their names.
We must ensure our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherit were paid for with courage, service and sacrifice.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner and raising the American flag to full staff. God Bless America!