Memorial Day events to honor vets, first responders
Food, fellowship, fireworks and a chance to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and the veterans it honors are all on the schedule for the Memorial Day weekend in Hot Springs.
The Veterans Memorial Committee of Garland County says retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Blodgett Arwood, of Hot Springs Village, will be the keynote speaker at the community’s annual Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, 118 Orange St.
Arwood served four campaigns in Vietnam, on commands in Germany and Saudi Arabia, participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he was responsible for logistics planning and battlefield support, and also served as Army Material Commander Forward to execute relief operations for Hurricane Andrew that struck Florida and Louisiana in 1992.
Arwood’s honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges. He is a member of the Army Quartermaster Hall of Fame and the Bowling Green State University Hall of Fame and was recently inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
Jo West Taylor Davis, Veterans Memorial Committee chairman, said Arwood is one of the founders of the Hot Springs Village Veterans Memorial and very active with their group “so for him to leave there and come
speak at our ceremony is such an honor. It’s a great privilege to have him.”
Davis said the crowds at both the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at the memorial “just keep getting bigger and bigger every year. More and more people want to come and honor the people who have kept us free.”
She said Memorial Day is the “kick off” for the summer season and “it just tickles me pink to see so many people of all ages who come out to honor our veterans. It should be a beautiful day.”
Monday’s ceremony will also include the naming of new bricks and pavers added to the memorial by Jackie Davis, treasurer of the Veterans Memorial Committee, the presentation of wreaths for those who have passed by Mike Kidder, of the Vietnam Veterans Organization of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a special tribute to veterans by Amy Arego.
The public is welcome to attend; bringing a lawn chair is recommended. Davis said a tent will be provided by Tom Daniel Jr. “so some veterans who need to can sit in the shade.”
On Saturday, Riser Ford Lincoln will host its inaugural Military and First Responders Appreciation Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the dealership, 4201 Central Ave., featuring a cookout offering hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks and special deals and incentives in honor of “those who go first.”
Kyle Outler, sales manager, said Thursday the event was planned to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders as well as active duty and retired veterans of the U.S. military.
“It’s just our way of saying we appreciate what you do for us,” Outler said. “It’s to celebrate all the first responders and what they do. At this time, there are so many detractors about the police and the military and we felt like we needed to honor them for their service.”
He said they have been in contact with the Hot Springs police, Garland County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, and all the other area agencies who will be attending and there will be a fire truck, police unit, military vehicles, a LifeNet ambulance and possibly the LifeNet helicopter and other equipment displayed on the lot.
Outler stressed the public is welcome to attend the event to show their appreciation to the heroes, as well.
Also on Saturday, Hot Springs Chapter 77 of the Road Riders for Jesus will host a “Back the Blue/EMT” event with hot dogs, popcorn and drinks in support of law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs beginning at 9 a.m. at Greeson’s dealership, 2219 Albert Pike Road.
“We’ll be starting at 9 a.m. with doughnuts and coffee for the early birds and we’ll keep going until no one else comes around,” Steve Johnson, RRFJ road captain and Arkansas road representative, said Thursday.
“I brought up the idea to our members and we wanted to do it for the officers and fire departments and EMTs, those who don’t get the respect they deserve,” Johnson said, noting several area businesses such as Chicken Express and Wendy’s donated food and other items to the event.
In addition to food and drinks, they will be giving out American flag pins with crosses, books and Bibles and other gifts to the officers and first responders.
Road Riders for Jesus, a ministry formed by Christian motorcyclists in August 1999 in the St. Louis area, is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization that welcomes all motorcyclists and all brands of motorcycles. While providing riding activities, the group “also seeks to fulfill the great commission of our Lord by sharing the good news of salvation with others, especially those of the motorcycling world,” its website states. Johnson said the Hot Springs chapter was formed in 2010.
In other events, Arkansas Hospice is hosting an open house from 1-3 p.m. today at its offices at 628 Malvern Ave. “to take time to thank the service members and veterans for their service to our country,” a news release said.
The annual free public Memorial Day fireworks display on Lake Hamilton will be held Sunday at dark to celebrate the start of the summer season in Hot Springs.
The fireworks will be shot from the middle of Lake Hamilton from barges located on the east side of Highway 7 at the causeway. Visit Hot Springs and Super Duty Boat Docks & Lifts are sponsors of the show.
“Those who want to watch the display from the water are urged to keep a safe distance from the launching area and keep watch for fellow boaters,” a news release said.