Day program to take place tomorrow

Lt. Col. Michael P. Hainsey, who served in the United States Air Force for 22 years, delivers his keynote speech during last year’s Memorial Day ceremony that took place in front of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse. (Photo by Cal Brown, SDN file)

In honor of those who lost their lives in service of our country, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held in front of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse on Monday morning to remember and honor those who, as President Abraham Lincoln said, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”

Although Memorial Day is a signal for the beginning of summer with school being out and summer activities getting into full swing, it is more than that.

As a tribute to those who were lost in battle, Mayor Lynn Spruill read ‘In Flanders Fields' during last year's program, a 1915 poem written by Canadian officer and surgeon John Mccrae during the Battle of Belgium of the first World War, which helped popularize the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

“In Flanders fields, the poppies blow. Between the crosses, row on row. That mark our place; and in the sky. The larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago, we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved, and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields,” the poem reads. “Take up our quarrel with the foe: to you from failing hands we throw. The torch: be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”

Oktibbeha County District 5 Supervisor Joe Williams, who served in the United States Army, stepped to the podium during last year's program to give words of compassion to family members who have lost a loved one.

Williams knew Robert M. Hill, who died in battle for our country in the Vietnam War, and he spoke about him on behalf of every other soldier who has lost their life in battle.

“Many of us remember walking the halls at our high school with [Hill], and we never thought he would be the same person who would die in battle for our country,” Williams said during last year's program. “Sometimes, we forget that these individuals are someone's classmate, someone's friend, or someone's child. But we must never forget, and we must always remember the sacrifice that they made for us. We must never forget that it is one of the most noble acts of bravery that a person could ever undertake. As we honor those fallen soldiers today, we also honor the parents and family members. Thank you for your child.”

This year's Memorial Day program will take place in front of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse tomorrow at 11 a.m.