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Those who made freedom possible remembered

May 31, 2016

The ground remained soggy Monday morning and puddle and mud encounters proved impossible to avoid. Yet the overnight downpour gave way to a cool, breeze-filled morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery as about 90 gathered to mark Memorial Day.

To many, the holiday brings summer’s kick off and family fun, several program speakers noted, all of which is good. More importantly, all said, is the opportunity the day brings to pause and remember those who secured our freedoms to enjoy such activities.

American Legion Post 50 Commander Jeff Hill commented on Memorial Day’s importance to POW/MIA service men and women and their families.

“The sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice,” Hill said. “We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivations and imprisonment.

“All Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call to serve an served the cause of freedom in a special way.”

Cleburne Fire Chief Clint Ishmael discussed the history of Memorial Day from it’s beginnings in May 1868 several years after the Civil War when Gen. John A. Logan called for a nationwide day of remembrance each May 30 through 1968 when Congress declared the day previously known as Decoration Day as Memorial Day and established it as a federal holiday.

Cleburne Councilman Bob Kelly proclaimed May 30, 2016, as Cleburne Solemn Remembrance and Poppy Day. Memorial Day is both solemn and uplifting, Kelly said, in characterizing the day as personal to him.

“I’m the son of an MIA,” Kelly said. “I never knew my father. He was shot down over the Pacific flying a B-29 before I was born. “I myself am a veteran of the Air Force and I’ve always lived by the words of Gen. [George S.] Patton who said, ‘Don’t mourn these people but thank God that they lived and fought for the freedoms we have.’”

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, said it is good and proper for Americans to be excited about their day off as they look forward to baseball games, cookouts and family togetherness.

“I think some of the swimming pools are even open by now,” Williams said. “But lets not lose sight of the true purpose of today as we remember those who died, our sons and daughters throughout our history who answered our highest call.

“It is also important to remember that we have a volunteer military made up of men and women who sign up because they want to fight those who want to harm us. In a time when our nation is so desperately searching for heroes, these brave souls have filled the void above and beyond.”

Williams said he is honored to serve in the district, Congressional District 25, which includes Fort Hood.

“They are the brightest and the best,” Williams said, “Resilient, tough and an inspiration to us all. America is a country where anybody has an opportunity to accomplish anything, but we have those opportunities only because of the brave men and women who protect our freedoms.”

Williams challenged all to seek out a veteran or current service member and thank them for their service.

“They miss Christmas times, miss Thanksgivings, births and family time,” Williams said. “Sometimes they never make it home. So enjoy the ball games. Enjoy the cookouts today but remember those who make that possible.”

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 50 President Robbyn Hill and ALA Unit 50 First Vice President Candy Long explained the significance poppies and the 1915 John McCrae poem “In Flanders Fields” while children distributed paper poppies to attendees.

Carolyn Tarter, member of the Cleburne Poetry Society and the daughter of a World War II veteran, read a poem she penned especially for the day.

“I’ve attended [the Cleburne ceremony] each year,” Tarter said. “One year I was so moved that I had to go home and write about it.”

Titled “Where You There?” Tarter’s poem pays tribute to those “who gave their lives because they chose to serve their country against our foes.”

U.S. Air Force veteran Randy Baldwin name checked the wars throughout America’s history and paid tribute to the men and women lost in each after which Williams and Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 member Jake Hill placed a wreath at the grave of a veteran.

The ceremony opened with the posting of colors by members of the Joshua JROTC and concluded with “Taps” played by Kenyon Pio of Boy Scout Troop 673.

In between, Johnson County Sheriff-Elect Adam King delivered the opening prayer, followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by U.S. Air Force veteran Ken Peters Sr.

Audra Baldwin sang “The National Anthem” and “Let Their Be Peace on Earth.”