Memorial Day 2009

Excerpts from the program presented by the

Coweta Falls Chapter of
The Sons of the American Revolution
4th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

May 25, 2009
Veteran’s Gardens, Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus GA
Chaplain Dan Gates

Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this Memorial Day 2009, it is an honor to greet you. And to welcome you to this 4th Annual Memorial Day Commemoration…We have come here today to remember the fallen; those men and women, whose faces can be seen smiling at us from old black and white, aging photographs in which they stay forever young. Men and women, who must be remembered, for the sake of their sacrifice; and for the sake of our nation. And we come, also, to honor the living; we’re so very glad you’re here…

The Ragged Old Flag
by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, Your old courthouse is kinda run down
He said, Naw, it'll do for our little town.
I said, Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.

He said, Have a seat, and I sat down.
Is this the first time you've been to our little town?
I said, I think it is.
He said, I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.

You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder burns, the night Francis Scott Key,
Sat watching it, writing 'Oh, Say, Can You See.'

And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams.
And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag,
but she waved on though

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.

On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low a time or two.

She was in Korea and Vietnam
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.

In her own good land she's been abused --
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.
And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.

And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more.

So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.

On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.


(This video was not part of the ceremony, but it is a moving rendition of this poem:
Ragged Old Flag read by Johnny Cash)

Opening Prayer: our nation was founded upon and has been nourished by prayer. It is only fitting and proper for us to begin by invocating the God of our Forefathers. …

Almighty God! In this special moment – on this special day – we humble ourselves in Your Presence. We thank you for the magnitude of Your great blessing on this nation You have so graciously given us. We honor Your name, knowing it is through your Divine grace we are sustained in the shadow of liberty.

May this commemoration reflect that grace as we are reminded of those men and women, who answered the call to shoulder arms against tyranny. To those heroes – many of whose names have been lost to antiquity – we pay deep and sincere tribute. To that long line of men and women, who followed the path of patriotism; whose struggles and sacrifice have kept America free – we pay deep and sincere tribute. And to those, who even now, wear the uniforms of this nation, fighting a war against terror, we offer our heartfelt and everlasting gratitude.

May God bless those who – throughout the ages – have wrapped themselves in America’s flag to stand in her defense. And may God continue to bless America.
Amen.

Memorial Day Commemoration

Insomuch as: We gather, as Americans, on this day of special commemoration dedicated to the ideals of freedom and liberty;

Insomuch as: We gather, as Americans, remembering that our freedom and liberty were purchased by the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers in a War of Independence;

Insomuch as: We gather, as Americans, reminded of the millions, who, down throughout the decades of our history, selflessly gave their fortunes, their dedication, their very lives to protect that freedom and liberty;

Insomuch as: We gather, as Americans, aware that even now, young men and women stand in harm’s way to protect us and assure us a continued freedom and liberty,

We hereby: Remember the hollowed dead, whose blood cries from the earth: “Duty, Honor, and Country”. And we honor the living, who stand now, wrapped in the red, white and blue of this nation’s flag to echo that same determined shout of victory: “Duty, Honor, Country”. And in so remembering…

We Do Honor: The dead, who will remain in our memories forever young; forever vigilant! And the living, who by their everyday acts of commitment, reflect the highest ideals of America.

So pledged under my hand today,
Compatriot Terry Manning
President, the Georgia Society
Sons of the American Revolution

Tribute: “I Am A Soldier”

In America’s shining history, it has been the soldier who has given us our freedom; assured us of our liberty. And in that history, much as in the audience today, the “soldiers” have not always been military, No, they have been a mixture! Military and civilian! Patriots all! And with one commonality. They all had the heart of a soldier.

I Am A Soldier!
Read by Marine Corps Veteran and Patriot, Andy Bourke

I am a soldier! A soldier in the Army of my country! I wear a uniform! It’s olive drab, blue, gray and khaki. My nation’s need for defense is my calling; the President of this great nation is my Commanding Officer. I am a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman. Faith in God and love of America are my codes of conduct. Faith and prayer walk with me every day.

I am a soldier! Since 1775, I have been taught by experience, trained by adversity, tested by fire. I am a volunteer. The decision to wear the uniform of my country was my decision. And thereby I am committed. Committed to her defense, committed to her people. Every man is my brother, when I stand against the enemies of my land. Every woman, my sister; every child, my little boy; my little girl. And I will defend them with my life.

I am a soldier! I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If America needs me, I am there. If she needs me to live in her defense, I am there. If she needs me to die in her defense, I am there!

I am a soldier! I’m not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, pepped up, or picked up. I am a soldier! When defending America’s ideals, no one has to remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me! All Americans need do is… call me!

I am a soldier! I’m not a wimp! I am in my place of duty, saluting my Commander, obeying my orders, protecting my nation, doing my job! I am a soldier! I don’t need you to send me flowers, gifts, candy, or handouts! I don’t need to be coddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!

I am a soldier! I am committed to you, America! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to make me quit. Weather can’t stop me! Sickness won’t keep me from my service! Money can’t buy me! People can’t disillusion me! And hell can’t defeat me for I fight for you, America!

I am a soldier! Generation after generation, I have worn the uniform, wrapped myself in your flag, America, and said to those who would hurt you, “Not today! Not on my watch! Not while I have strength!”

I am a soldier! And I will win! I will always triumph, America! And I will do it for you!

Prayer for those who now serve

It is with guns and bullets those who now serve on active duty defend us in this war on terror. But it is the prayers of a grateful nation on which we build a future wherein our children and children’s children can live in peace and security. Corporal Philip Alexander is a former United States marine, now serving our nation in the United States Army National Guard; a man who knows the meaning of sacrifice and the words duty, honor, and country. It is altogether fitting such a man should lead us in prayer for those who now serve.

Almighty God, we call on your name and invoke your Presence as we remember those who now serve; those who wear the uniforms of this nation; those who are dedicated to her flag and her ideals of liberty and freedom. May you this day strengthen their hands to protect us as you strengthen your hand to protect them. Give wisdom to our leaders. And may our cause be just. Around us on this hilltop, there are men and women who gave their all that we might abide in the greatest nation ever allowed to mankind. Today we remember their sacrifices as we live in the freedom they purchased. Oh God, send your blessing upon those who now carry the torch of democracy. Bless them, Almighty God, and their families with the knowledge that theirs is a sacred duty through which we all are kept free. Amen.

Introduction of the Program

All across this nation today, Americans can celebrate. In tiny villages hidden by the forests of the Catskills, the Appalachians, and the Rockies; to sprawling cities like Atlanta and New York and Houston; to a small hilltop cemetery in Columbus, Georgia, American’s are remembering on this Memorial Day. To help us remember, we have chosen a unique way of hearing the echoes of sacrifices past. To hallow this day on this hilltop, we have chosen to call the names of five soldiers* from each of America’s major wars. Names that were mourned, most of whom, because of the passing of time, have been joined by those who mourned their passing. But men and women to who we all owe a debt the world’s weight in medals could never repay. For truly we are “remembering their sacrifices and living in the freedom they purchased.”

Today we remember the heroes of the American Revolution: [5 names called*] These five represent more than 8,000 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the War of 1812: [5 names called] These five represent more than 2,260 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the War Between the States, the Union Army: [5 names called] These five represent more than 140,414 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the War Between the States, Confederate States of America: [5 names called] These five represent more than 72,524 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the Spanish-American War: [5 names called] These five represent more than 385 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of World War I: [5 names called] These five represent more than 53,402 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of World War II: [5 names called] These five represent more than 291,557 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the Korean War: [5 names called] These five represent more than 33,746 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the Vietnam War: [5 names called] These five represent more than 58,748 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today we remember the heroes of the War on Terror: [5 names called] These five represent more than 5,591 who died for duty, honor and country.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are citizens of the greatest nation on the face of God’s earth, because men and women – more than 655,000 of them – have seen the face of evil and said, “It’s enough!” Even to the forfeit of their own lives! “Freedom is never free! But the price is never too high.”

*The transcript did not contain the names of the soldiers, which were read by various men from a separate list.

Remembering a Hero

On this Memorial Day 2009, America’s heroes – those who have lived and died protecting our nation and the ideas of liberty and freedom – are honored and remembered. Yet the highest accolades of men, nor the world’s esteem can ever speak the gratitude of a grateful nation for one of her sons.

Enough medals cannot be struck, enough words of patriotism spoken, nor can this nation mourn loudly enough to speak tribute to a soldier’s life spent protecting his own nation, while helping to give freedom to millions.

In hallowed ground, just a few yards from where we stand today, lies one of those heroes. He is Gunnery Sergeant John H. O’Tripp Roy, III, a native son of Columbus. Gunnery Sergeant Roy died in the line of duty just ten weeks ago on March 24, 2009. A 1994 graduate of Columbus High School, he served 15 dedicated years in the United States Marine Corps as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. During those fifteen years of loyal service to his nation, Gunnery Sergeant Roy was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, along with numerous other awards and recognitions of his selfless service to each of us. An ordained deacon and licensed minister of the gospel, he served Jesus Christ and his nation with distinction. Duty, honor, and country were the pillars of his life; The Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” – Always Faithful – the banner underneath which he lived out those characteristics that made him a great American.

Today, Mr. John Roy, Sr. – Tripp’s father – is the honored guest of this ceremony. He represents for us the thousands of families across this nation and throughout America’s history whose loved ones have served America with pride. And for whom that ragged old flag will never be taken for granted.

Mr. Roy, it is with great and unfeigned humility, sincere affection and heartfelt love that we gently speak your son’s name in reverent whisper this day on this sacred ground. And to you and your family, we simply offer our deepest appreciation; we stand in awe of your son’s courage and love of this nation; and we prayerfully share with you a part of each of our hearts. May time and the loving hand of God create even more cherished memories of his life and service to us all.

Laying of the Wreaths

A tradition was born on that first Memorial Day – called “Decoration Day” in 1866. As a part of remembering, it became the custom to lay a wreath at the grave sites of America’s war dead. From the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington and in cemeteries across this nation, that tradition is being carried on this very day by Americans just like yourselves. Today, in the “laying of the wreathes” we symbolize our grateful hearts and abiding respect for that long, long line of patriots, whose cry of victory echoes through the corridors of time: Duty, Honor, Country.

Today we honor our nation’s dead, but with the understanding and heaven-sent assurance that the day will come when, They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.

Benediction
By Chaplain Dan Gates

Almighty God! In all the earth there is no greater nation than America. Your blessing has caused her to be that shining city on a hill, bringing the truth of freedom and liberty to the world. But it has not been without cost. The price has been paid in blood, sweat, and sacrifice for the cause of independence and the freedoms we all take so for granted. Forgive us, Oh God, for our assumptions of your blessing!

On this consecrated day, create afresh in our generation an infinite desire to walk in the hallowed, bloody footprints of Valley Forge; to walk in the blood-soaked sands of Normandy’s beaches, on the jungle trails of Tarawa and Okinawa, down the frozen foot paths of Korea and across the ambushed-laced rice paddies of Vietnam. From Afghanistan to Iran and wherever else men and women stand ready to lay down their lives to save ours, Lord, give us the courage to defend, the will to win, and the stamina to stay the course.

Lord, to every man and woman with you today, whose life was lived as an investment in America, we give thanks. Send your angel messengers to find each of them to whisper in their ears that their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. And that here today in this sacred lace, we have stood in awe of their greatness that has made America great. May we carry the torch they have laid aside with a sense of their integrity and the memory of their victory cry of Duty, Honor, Country.

May God bless America. Amen!

transcript reprinted with the permission of Chaplain Dan Gates