Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day

Approximately 60 people, not including participants, paid their respects to the fallen at the Memorial Day service at Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche on Monday morning.

Among the activities were a 21-gun salute, a prayer, the playing of TAPS and remarks from State Rep. Marcus McEntire.

The event was hosted by the Stephens County Honor Guard, American Legion Post 258 in Comanche, AmVets, DAV and the VFW.

After a prayer by the Honor Guard chaplain, Mitchell, who also gave the opening welcome, spoke briefly about remembering what everyone was there for.

“Do we remember the hundreds of thousands that gave their very being for the masses from the Revolutionary War? The Civil War? World War I and World War II? Vietnam? Iraq? Afghanistan, and numerous other conflicts and scrimmages in which American lives have been lost?”

Mitchell said it was important to remember those veterans who lived full lives but were now gone.

“So, those that gave their ability to live free, combat fallen or end of time veterans all of these heroes are worth remembering,” Mitchell said. “Every creed, color, nationality of origin and sex have put on the uniform of six military branches to serve this country of ours.”

Mitchell ended his speech by introducing McEntire to speak.

“As Dan said, we must remember, but we should do more than just remember, we should honor,” McEntire said. “We should honor these men and women who put their lives on the line for us and our country....Honor means to fulfill an obligation or keep an agreement. We respect those who have fallen and esteem them for their honor.”

McEntire commended those who attended the event.

“Freedom has never been cheap,” McEntire said. “It must be fought for and paid for with blood. And these men and women that we’re honoring today did just that. All of you that are here today did just that because you believe these men and women should be remembered and honored. But you didn’t just come here to mourn. General Patton said it best, ‘It’s foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather we should thank God that such men lived.’”

After McEntire’s speech, veterans in the various branches of service were recognized.

That was followed by the 21-gun salute and the playing of TAPS.

The crowd was dismissed with a benediction and some final remarks by Mitchell.