Memorial Day service honors vets

Memorial Day ceremonies honored the "sacred and almost visible presence of those who have given their lives during their service to our country," said Tom Coester, commander of American Legion Post #26, which hosted the event.

At the center of the podium was a black POW chair and a fallen soldier memorial. "This is a tribute to soldiers in harm's way," said Coester.

Mountain Home Mayor Tom Rist, along his wife, Shirley, was in attendance to introduce the guest speaker for the event, Col. James Browne of the 366th Fighter Wing.

Rist acknowledged several of Browne's accomplishments. Browne has totalled 3,000 hours of flight time in an F-15 and 700 hours of combat time. Browne led combat missions for several operations, including Provide Comfort, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, prior to becoming wing commander at Mountain Home AFB, which recently passed a major ORI. The 366th Fighter Wing passed on the first try, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 2005.

Browne focused his speech on what Memorial Day really means.

"(It is) a day when we pause to reflect on the sacrifices of our military service men and women who have died while serving our nation."

Browne noted that Memorial Day began in the late 1800s as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War. The name was changed from Decoration Day, when families would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, to Memorial Day, where it is marked with ceremonies and speeches.

Browne talked about how we as a people have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day, how too many Americans believe it to be nothing more than a three-day weekend, the beginning of summer, an opportunity for a party or barbecue, or to save a few bucks at the mall.

"Today is really a day to stop thinking about ourselves and to remember those valiant men and women who sacrificed their lives for the greater good."

Last year on Memorial Day, Browne visited Arlington National Cemetery. During the ceremony he witnessed, a young woman laying flowers at the headstone of her recently deceased serviceman, a young woman playing a stanza of "Amazing Grace" on a violin, and several families standing over the gravesites of their deceased sons and daughters.

"That was a powerful experience, as each of them found their way to honor those who have died serving our country."

Browne talked about how the ceremony wasn't focused on death, but rather the sacrifice of a life.

"Heroes are not always victorious, merely virtuous and remembered for their sacrifice...."

"Memorial Day is about a people who have asked their sons and daughters to serve their nation, their flag, and their fellow countrymen for more than 230 years of our existence. Their lives paid for the freedom we enjoy today."

Following Browne's speech, Coester, a bit overwhelmed, began the wreath presentations. Wreathes were presented by several organizations, including Mothers of the Military, VFW, War Mothers, the Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary, and American Legion Post 26 and Auxiliary.

A noted representative for American Legion Post 26 was former Mayor of Mountain Home Joe B. McNeal.

"These flowers may wither, but the spirit for which they are a symbol will endure until the end of time," said Coester.

Following the ceremony, Rist, Browne and Coester spoke about how well the event turned out.

"I think it is most important, that the townspeople took time to honor their military servicemen and to the ones who died in combat and paid the ultimate sacrifice," said Browne.

"I feel honored to have taken part in this event," said Rist. "I felt that Col. Browne's speech was right on target, about how we have all forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day. It's a day to honor our fallen comrades."

"I think it was fantastic, the wing commander's speech really hit the mark on Memorial Day. I am just really pleased," said Coester.