GRAVETTE — Thomas E. Bass, World War II and Korean War veteran, reminded the crowd in Hillcrest Cemetery Monday morning that the Flag is “The greatest symbol of freedom in the world today.”

He paid tribute to those who have served in all our nation’s wars, and those serving today. Bass conducts flag etiquette classes for students each year at Gravette school. At the close of the program he was surprised by the presentation of a flag which has flown over our nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C.

J. R. Gibbs was emcee for the program which was arranged by the American Legion Post in Gravette. Doug Lehman, pastor of Eagle Heights Bapstist Church in Bentonville, gave the invocation. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the GHS band, directed by Mike Johnson, played the National Anthem. Ashley Dewey sang “God Bless America and Legion member Mike Carnahan closed the program with the benediction.

The Memorial Day program is an annual event in Gravette sponsored by the Legion to draw the community together in remembering those who have served and those serving.

The avenue of flags were at half staff during the ceremony and were raised to full staff for the remainder of the day.

News, Pages 10 on 06/02/2010