Remembering those who served

 

Camp Cecil Perkerson Veteran’s Club, Post 186 of the American Legion in Greenville held a special ceremony honoring veterans and especially World War II veterans on Monday 11^th November at 11 am at Greenville United Methodist Church.

           

Post Commander Buster McCoy recognized those veterans who were in World War II: from left, John Robert Walker, Navy, M. B. Guy, Army, McCoy, Henry J. Barnes, Army, Harry Allen Argroves, Army, John C. Heard, Army, Durward Roland, Army, not pictured but present, Lewis Routon, Merchant Marines and later the Army, absent but honored: John Albert Swanson, Marines, Norman J. Rowe, Navy, and Sara Morris, Navy; and recently deceased Charles T. Gabriel, Navy.

 

 

Six local residents added their musical talents to the program: Melanie Hadley opening the service singing “God Bless America,” Sally Estes on the piano with a medley of hymns of the service branches, Bill and Carolyn Barnes encouraging the congregation to sing along with “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” Mary Washington singing “This is My Country,” and Amy Dees closing the service with “Sleep, Soldier Boy.”

 

Reverend Jan Oglesbee spoke about veterans and their courage, honor, and faith. Her message was distinctive in that it was told from a mother’s point of view as she said good bye to her son Tim as he traveled to Afghanistan and then Iraq. The worries and prayers for her son in combat never stopped.

 

A reception in the church’s fellowship hall followed the service where everyone enjoyed and found fascinating the display of World War II memorabilia plus the WW2 veterans’ pictures.