Published: May 22, 2009 08:55 pm      

Remember those who made the supreme sacrifice

BLUEFIELD — Several veterans organizations, civic groups and communities in Mercer County will be hosting events on Memorial Day to honor men & women of the U.S. military who made the supreme sacrifice by giving their lives in defense of American freedom.

“We have been conducting a Memorial Day service at Chicory Square since before it was called, Chicory Square,” A.A. “Lon” Hopkins Jr., commander of Bluefield’s Riley-Vest Post No. 9, of the American Legion said. “I asked Dixon Jones to look back through his records, and he said this is the 25th year that we have been holding the service at that location. Prior to that, the post held the service at Woodland Cemetery and at other locations.”

Hopkins said that Delegate John R. Frazier, D-Mercer will serve as keynote speaker at the Chicory Square service that starts at 10:30 a.m., on May 25. “Delegate Frazier is a member of our post and is a Vietnam veteran,” Hopkins said. “Through the years, this event has come to signify the end of the annual Mountain Festival. It is a time when we salute military veterans who died in combat.

The Bluefield High School Band under the direction of Bobby Jenks will provide special music, the BHS JROTC will post colors, Post Chaplain Dr. Allen Hammond will deliver the memorial prayer and closing prayer, Alvin Ascue, post adjutant & finance officer will introduce the speaker, Thelma Halsey of the Legion Auxiliary will place the memorial wreath, the rifle team from VFW Post 9696 Bluefield, Va., will provide a three-volley rifle salute and the BHS Band will play “Taps.”

A community group from the Lashmeet-Matoaka-Spanishburg-Lake Shawnee area worked with area legislators to have a bridge dedicated in honor of Staff Sgt. Stanley Brian Reynolds who died in Iraq on Aug. 14, 2007, in a helicopter crash. The dedication service is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., on May 25, according to dedication organizer Teresa Sexton.

Judge Omar Aboulhosn of the Mercer County Circuit Court will serve as keynote speaker at the S.Sgt. Stanley Reynolds Bridge dedication. State Senator H. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, majority leader of the West Virginia Senate and Delegate Mike Porter, R-Mercer, are scheduled to speak at the bridge dedication as well. The bridge crosses the Bluestone River and is located on State Route 10, about a half-mile from the intersection with U.S. Route 19 near Lake Shawnee.

Bramwell is hosting a “Veterans Day in Bramwell” on May 25, starting with a parade at 2:45 p.m., and a program at 3 p.m. Frank Brady, general manager of WVVA-TV will serve as moderator for the event, and Delegate Frazier will serve as keynote speaker. Wallace Heath, chaplain of Marine Corps League #957 will give the invocation and the Marine Corps League will join with the Troop 252 Boy Scouts of America, and Troop 5317 Girl Scouts of America for the presentation of colors.

Bill Keller, a 23-year U.S. Army veteran, will lead the “Pledge of Allegiance,” Patricia Synan will sing “The National Anthem,” and the Marine Corps League will conduct the flag folding ceremony. Solomon Sowers and Troop 252 BSA will conduct a flag retirement ceremony, Daisy Walker will sing “God Bless America,” event organizer Randy Gibson will give acknowledgments, Ray Tilley and the West Virginia Honor Guard will provide a three-volley rifle salute and Fred Harves will play “Taps.” Gary Conklin will provide the benediction and blessing of the food.

“We will have lots of food,” Bramwell Mayor Louise Stoker said.

Princeton-based Chapter 628, Vietnam Veterans of America will participate in the National Memorial Day Salute to those who made the supreme sacrifice by playing “Taps” at 3 p.m., at the West Virginia Visitors Center in Princeton. The Vietnam Veterans will have a tent near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the center through the day.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com