The threat of inclement weather moved Marvell’s second annual countywide Memorial Day tribute inside but it didn’t dampen the patriotic spirit felt inside the old Davidson Civic Center. About 50 veterans, their wives and citizens attended the upbeat ceremony, which lasted a little over an hour.
Marvell Mayor Winston Foster, in his welcome address, called the former Legion Hut an “appropriate setting” for the program. “We are in a building full of memories surrounded by photos of our heroes past,” he stated.
The ceremony featured a musical salute to each branch of the military. When their branch’s song was played, the veterans stood to an impressive round of applause. Jimmy Nicholls was recognized as the oldest veteran in attendance at age 89.
Rev. Gary Benson performaned and narrated a song called, “We Want America Back.” During the narration Benson noted that, “Something is wrong in America when we expel God from our schools but allow gun-toting drug addicted students to remain…
“It’s a shame when contraceptives are passed out at school but Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles…Something is very wrong,” he exclaimed.
Rev. Monty Bell, a staff sergeant during the Korean War and pastor emeritus of the Methodist Church, was the guest speaker. Bell shared a few of his military experiences. At the tender age of 15 1/2, Bell joined the Air National Guard after being assured that the Guard would only function if the U.S. was attacked.
Bell parlayed his military experience into a successful career as an aeronautical engineer. His duties during his service days included repairing and inspecting fighter planes.
“Whatever your reason was for joining the service, I salute you,” Bell told the vets.
Other program participants included local businessman and Navy veteran Arnell Willis, Phyllis Schaffhauser, president of the Legion Auxiliary, Rev. Mike Fowler, who performed the “National Anthem” and presented a history of “Taps;” Vivian Word, who lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance; and Betty Carter, who performed a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.”
Maryned Foster, the program organizer, said attendance was down slightly from a year ago when 105 attended the event in the bright sunshine in Marvell’s downtown pavilion.
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The threat of inclement weather moved Marvell’s second annual countywide Memorial Day tribute inside but it didn’t dampen the patriotic spirit felt inside the old Davidson Civic Center. About 50 veterans, their wives and citizens attended the upbeat ceremony, which lasted a little over an hour.
Marvell Mayor Winston Foster, in his welcome address, called the former Legion Hut an “appropriate setting” for the program. “We are in a building full of memories surrounded by photos of our heroes past,” he stated.
The ceremony featured a musical salute to each branch of the military. When their branch’s song was played, the veterans stood to an impressive round of applause. Jimmy Nicholls was recognized as the oldest veteran in attendance at age 89.
Rev. Gary Benson performaned and narrated a song called, “We Want America Back.” During the narration Benson noted that, “Something is wrong in America when we expel God from our schools but allow gun-toting drug addicted students to remain…
“It’s a shame when contraceptives are passed out at school but Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles…Something is very wrong,” he exclaimed.
Rev. Monty Bell, a staff sergeant during the Korean War and pastor emeritus of the Methodist Church, was the guest speaker. Bell shared a few of his military experiences. At the tender age of 15 1/2, Bell joined the Air National Guard after being assured that the Guard would only function if the U.S. was attacked.
Bell parlayed his military experience into a successful career as an aeronautical engineer. His duties during his service days included repairing and inspecting fighter planes.
“Whatever your reason was for joining the service, I salute you,” Bell told the vets.
Other program participants included local businessman and Navy veteran Arnell Willis, Phyllis Schaffhauser, president of the Legion Auxiliary, Rev. Mike Fowler, who performed the “National Anthem” and presented a history of “Taps;” Vivian Word, who lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance; and Betty Carter, who performed a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.”
Maryned Foster, the program organizer, said attendance was down slightly from a year ago when 105 attended the event in the bright sunshine in Marvell’s downtown pavilion.
