Monticello Live

 Monticello’s three Veteran’s Organizations, the DAV, VFW, and American Legion, united to recognize local Veterans on Veterans Day, with a ceremony at the Drew County Courthouse.  The program was moved into the upstairs courtroom because of rainy weather.

This was also the 20 Year Anniversary of the “Wall of Honor” at the front steps of the county courthouse.

Houston Berryman opened the program, and also introduced the speakers for the day.

Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin showed the crowd a Memorial Plaque (shown below) which was given to the county by the late Robie Scott.  Judge Lampkin shared that there were 4,734,991 WWI soldiers, and that only one is still living today.  Frank W. Buckles resides in West Virginia, and is 107 years old. 

Lampkin also recognized that we have 3,000 troops serving now, with the 39th, including many local National Guard Troops..

Glenn Kellebrew discussed the History of Veteran’s Day, which, began November 11, 1919, as Armistice day.  Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938, and was renamed Veterans’ Day in 1954, to honor all veterans from all wars.

 

Bill Moore’s topic recognized Disabled Veterans, and also told the crowd that there were 1.7 million women veterans.

Larry Gragg pointed out that “freedom is not free” and said that “Veteran’s Day is about honoring all veterans for their service to our country.” 

Betty Hughes and Sheilla Lampkin were recognized for their roles in supporting the veterans of Drew County.  Mrs. Betty was instrumental in organizing fundraising efforts to build the Wall of Honor, while Mrs. Sheilla does so much to publicize the history and stories of many Drew County Veterans.

Everyone stood as Drew Central’s choir and madrigals performed.  First, the Star Spangled Banner.

Then the group sang a medley of themes from all four military branches, where veteran’s from each branch stood, while their’s was being sung.

Lamar Butler rang the ceremonial bell for each name of a Drew County soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice, as the list of names was read.

Dale Hughes was the guest speaker for the program.  Mr. Hughes retired as a 22 year veterans of the U.S. Air Force, and later served as Drew County Judge for 10 years, beginning in 1982.  He is primarily accepted as the reason that there is a “Wall of Honor” in Drew County.  The project began with a suggestion from a local pastor, and with the support of many citizens, became a reality.  Hughes recognized Frank Jackson, Betty Evans, and his wife Betty Hughes, as playing important roles during the course of the fundraising.

Mr. Hughes said, “It was evident that these 4 wars (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and Korea) touched everyone in Drew County.”   There were 3,232 contributions that provided for the “Wall on Honor”, including a lady that came to the courthouse to give her donation of $3.  He recalled a comment from a veteran’s letter that he had received, compliment how the monument provided “both openness and privacy, while shouting SACRIFICE to the north, south, east, and west.”

 Those present stood and applauded the morning’s show of support, as well as their appreciation for our veterans. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Veterans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.