Memorial Day Service
As with so many communities throughout our grateful nation, the Town of Lewisville, North Carolina held its annual Memorial Day Service at Shallowford Square. The event was sponsored by American Legion Post 522.
Real and Present Gratitude
Thanks to the efforts of the American Legion Post 522 and other groups and individuals, our community gathered once more at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square on Memorial Day to honor and thank those who serve, and have served, in our nation’s military.
The Memorial Day Service included vintage military vehicles, special music, invocation and benediction, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Commissioner David Plyler, honor guard, rifle squad and bugler.
We’re thankful for our military men and women who are presently serving our country in such a challenging time. We know you have not chosen the easiest of paths, and we thank you for your service, and for the sacrifices you and your families are making on behalf of your country.
To see more photos of Lewisville’s Memorial Day Service, please visit the 2009 Memorial Day Service photo gallery.
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Christmas Wreaths
Lewisville resident, Fred O’Brien, sets up a Christmas wreath at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square in Lewisville.
Encounter
One day last week while driving by Shallowford Square, I spotted two Christmas wreaths that had been placed in the Veterans Memorial section of the Square. I made a mental note to come back later and photograph them for the blog.
When I finally made it back there this past Saturday morning, the timing was such that I met Korean War veteran and Lewisville resident, Fred O’Brien. Because both of the Christmas wreaths had been sitting on the ground — each propped up against a separate memorial — Fred had been compelled to make them more presentable, and he had brought the materials needed to complete the task.
In the above photo, Fred is shown securing one of the Christmas wreaths on a stand to be placed in front of the memorial that contains the “Battle Cross” statue, which is surrounded by commemorative bricks individually inscribed with the names and military service information of scores of veterans. (A previous post, titled Remembering, discusses this particular memorial and also includes a photo gallery showing close-ups of the statue and the bricks.)
While Fred was putting the finishing touches on the first wreath, we were joined by Doug Dampier (who is highlighted in the post titled, Now and Then). Doug and Fred talked a little about their military connections: Fred had served in the Marine Corps in Korea. Doug’s father, Ralph Dampier, had served in the Navy during World War II, and had passed away in March of this year.
As their conversation continued, Doug lent Fred a hand with the placement of the second wreath, which had been propped up against the POW-MIA flag memorial. Since I’ve not addressed this particular memorial before in the blog, I’ll share what’s written on its plaque:
On Behalf of a Grateful Nation and a Proud American Legion: This POW-MIA flag flies to honor those veterans who, in service to this great nation, sacrificed their freedom and their physical and mental well-being as prisoners of war. It also recognizes those who are still missing in action or remain imprisoned. The light at the base of this plaque will burn until all POW-MIAa are accounted for or return home. — Town of Lewisville | Lewisville American Legion Post 522
Thoughts
It strikes me now that placing Christmas wreaths at memorials is no less appropriate than placing them on the doors of our homes. After all, at Christmastime we especially tend to think of loved ones who have passed away, or loved ones who — for whatever reason — will not be with us for the holidays.
Likewise, our veterans and those who are currently serving in our nation’s military are also among those whom we think of with love and gratitude at Christmas. Placing the Christmas wreaths at the Veterans Memorial in Shallowford Square is just one more way to say, “We love you.” and “Thank you.”
Take a look at additional photos from this encounter at the Veterans Memorial in the Fred O’Brien photo gallery.
Commemorative Veterans Bricks
If you or someone you know, would be interested in purchasing a commemorative veterans brick to be placed in honor of or in memory of a veteran, you may contact Fred O’Brien at 945-9510.
Remembering
On a recent morning, I visited the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square to make photos in commemoration of Veterans Day.
I spent some time reading the veterans’ names and their service descriptions inscribed across rows of commemorative bricks. The service descriptions included “Pearl Harbor Survivor,” “Ex-POW,” “Omaha Beach 1944,” “Guadalcanal,” “Iwo Jima” and “Iraq/Afghanistan War,” among so many others.
The more I read, the more incongruous the beautiful, serene morning seemed, compared to the horrors of war that many of these veterans had faced. Even the soft rustling sound of the flags flying above me seemed to somberly punctuate their sacrifices.
In today’s Veterans Gallery, I’ve included close-up shots of the commemorative bricks. Some of the veterans whose names appear on the commemorative bricks participated in this year’s Memorial Day Service sponsored by American Legion Post 522. Among my favorite photos from the Memorial Day Service are those of “Speedy Spach,” who served in the Marine Corps at Guadalcanal.
Please take a few moments to visit these galleries — and join me in expressing gratitude for all of our military veterans.
