Memorial Day, a time to remember those who defended our freedoms

Photo by Susan Holland Ron Theis (right), pastor of the Beacon Missionary Baptist Church in Gravette and a Marine Corps veteran, was speaker for the Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Cemetery on Monday. Seated behind Theis were Dave Malczynski, commander of John E. Tracy American Legion post, and Jheri Roberts, pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.
Photo by Susan Holland Ron Theis (right), pastor of the Beacon Missionary Baptist Church in Gravette and a Marine Corps veteran, was speaker for the Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Cemetery on Monday. Seated behind Theis were Dave Malczynski, commander of John E. Tracy American Legion post, and Jheri Roberts, pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

— Bright, sunny skies greeted those who attended the Memorial Day service Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery. The weather was perfect for those who strolled around the burial ground and placed flowers on the graves of loved ones. At 10 a.m. a good crowd gathered for the annual ceremony honoring fallen veterans.

Dave Malczynski, commander of the John E. Tracy American Legion post at Gravette, welcomed those present; and Jheri Roberts, pastor of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church near Centerton, gave the opening prayer.

Will Crose, first vice commander of the post, and Legion member Robert Honderich raised the flag while members of the Old Town String Band played "The Star Spangled Banner." The band also played "America The Beautiful." Al Blair, finance officer for the post, placed a banner on an empty chair representing those who are POWs and MIA.

Ron Theis, pastor of Beacon Missionary Baptist Church and a Marine Corps veteran, was speaker for the ceremony. He gave a brief history of Memorial Day and said that to many it represents a day off, a three-day weekend, a day to cook out; but he pointed out that to those who have lost loved ones in war it means much more.

"It is a day to remember those who died so that we might have a nation that is free and strong, a nation worth fighting for. Because of them," he said, "we have the right to stand and preach the Word of God boldly, to live at peace in our homes and to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness."

We should do three things on Memorial Day, Theis said, mourn the lost, remember their lives and be thankful for the sacrifices they made.

"Freedom has always had a price," he said. "That price is the blood of the defenders of that freedom, young men and women who gave all they had and gave it willingly and freely. They believe the greatest thing we can do is defend our country and they serve with honor."

Theis expressed his belief that this great country, with all the problems it has, is still worth defending; and the freedoms we have here are worth fighting for. He concluded his talk with a quote from Tim Craft, a young Marine lance corporal in Vietnam. "For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know," Craft said.

Pastor Jheri Roberts gave the closing prayer. "Taps" was played to conclude the ceremony. As the strains of the poignant tune faded away, some made their way to their cars and others stayed to visit briefly with friends and family members attending.

Community on 05/31/2017