Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
One of the things that has been added to Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw and was part of the Memorial Day ceremony Monday was a bell.
“This bell was originally in First Christian Church. Then found a home at the VFW, and then found a home at Tom Kitch’s house, and then (Oakwood sexton) Hal (Heagy) and the boys went and picked it up at Tom’s and brought it here for its new home here at Oakwood Cemetery,” explained American Legion Post 49 Chaplain Ken Locke.
An honor bell ceremony took place at the past Veterans Day ceremony, but was added to Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Locke read what each of the seven tolls represents before the bell was rung.
“Today we gather to honor and remember those who have served our nation in peace and war. The honor bell will be rung seven times with seven seconds of silence between each toll. Each toll signifies a distinct stage in the veteran’s life, conveying specific meanings,” he said.
Toll one: The choice to serve symbolizes the veteran’s readiness to sacrifice their life for their country. Toll two: Camaraderie. Toll three: Patriotism. Toll four: Respect. Toll five: Dignity. Toll six: Honor. Toll seven: The value of life.
The Memorial Day ceremony at the Preacher’s Stand at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw started at 10:30 with the Kosciusko County Extension Chorus singing a number of patriotic songs. American Legion Post 49 Commander Elect Larry Burkhart welcomed everyone at around 11 a.m.
“We, Post 49, thank you for coming and being part of our ceremony today, and we welcome everyone here to remember their loved ones that have already passed or maybe even lost in the war,” he said. “We know that God always has his hand upon the United States of America, and that’s why we come here today for our memorial service, so that we do not forget those who were lost in battle and those that had come with all different types of injuries, most of the injuries you can not see. And some are laying here today that fought the good fight, and with us that are still yet standing, we are standing in the trenches to make sure the United States of America stays the United States of America.”
Locke gave a prayer, followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Extension Chorus leading in the national anthem.
Locke gave a great thank-you to Heagy and his staff. “I don’t think it’s ever looked better. Thank you, Hal, and staff,” Locke stated, adding a thank you to the chorus.
Harvest Community Church Pastor Eric Trump was the guest speaker for this year’s ceremony. While he never served himself, he said he was part of a military family as his father-in-law served in the U.S. Army; his son, Bradley, was a U.S. Marine Corp corporal; his grandfather served in World War II as an Army sergeant.
“I’m going to talk about honor, duty and country today,” Trump said, referencing 1 Samuel 17:47, which states, “All those assembled shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.”
Nations with effective armies are founded on honor, duty and country, Trump said. “Honor is the worship of the Creator and respect for his creation. Duty is obedience to God and his word and obligation to promote peace and tranquility. Country is a fierce loyalty to the home of the brave and the land of the free. Honor, duty and country promote a tenacious trust in the Lord, not an arrogant reliance on our military might.”
Psalm 27 “tells us that some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God,” Trump said. “We honor God when we include him and his principles in our conversation, and in crafting our country’s rule of law. We honor fellow citizens by providing an environment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is why our men and women die in defense of nations. Without faith, family and freedom as compelling reasons for war, we will fail.”
Armies cover each other’s backs and leave no one behind.
Referencing 2 Kings 19:34, Trump said duty is the determination to do what is right for the benefit of the whole.
“There’s a relentless sense of duty that sets apart average armies from excellent armies. Cold and rain, guns and bullets, blood and injury, and illness and disease do not keep the determined defenders from persevering in pain,” he said. “Responsibility to finish the drill drives those marked by dignity and duty.”
God and country go together like apple pie and ice cream, he said. “The integration of fidelity and faith and proud patriotism resist war, but when called upon to fight for freedom, finish the course.”
Trump talked about Moses, Joshua and the battle with the Amalekites in Exodus in which Joshua defeated the Amalekites.
“And then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua,’” Trump said. “He created that memorial. I took this from the story of Moses and the battle, that I know that there were many times, I’m sure, when you were in battle that you needed a brother or sister to stand beside you and hold your hands up. When the battle was fierce and you didn’t know what was going to happen, that brother or sister held their hands up. That’s what we do in this country: We hold our hands up for each one of us. When we get tired, somebody else is there to take care of you and this is a great community - when there is a need, we step up and take care of each other. And that’s the example that I see from my military brothers and sisters that have served, and brothers and sisters in this country that have served that example of, when your brother or sister needs you, you go step in and hold their hands up.”
Trump also talked about how wonderful it is to live in a community that honors its veterans and not just toss them aside.
“We celebrate though this day with the freedoms we have,” Trump said, acknowledging people will celebrate Memorial Day with the freedoms they have by having a day off work, a barbecue or time on the lake. “But that’s what we fought for those freedoms so that we can do that in this country. So we’re thankful for that for those that gave us those freedoms that we can enjoy, and I say go out and enjoy your freedoms today.”
Current Post 49 Commander Bud Long listed the 19 local veterans who died in the past year. The tolling of the bell then took place.
The ceremony concluded with wreaths placed at each of the three veterans circles, a three-round volley and the playing of Taps.
