With Memorial Day brings the unofficial start of summer recreation, beginning with all that comes with this time of year -- school being out, a chance to enjoy swimming pools, lakes, and creeks.
We should enjoy all that our area has to offer, but we should also keep in mind that a community tells a lot about itsself by the citizens it honors and memorializes. It is a fact we live in an area that not only recognizes its veterans but honors them.
One doesn’t have to look far to see that patriotism on display from the local schools and civic organizations. Also, this area has the North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Kilmichael and a proud history of veterans’ organizations.
On this Memorial Day, I think of those who have through the years done so much to help the veterans in this community. Two great Americans come to mind whom we lost in recent years, Ben Shute and Johnny Marlow. I visited them many times when they were leading the organization Veterans Helping Veterans here in Carroll County. There were countless veterans who they helped throughout this area -- my Dad one of them when he had to enter the Veteran’s Home in Kosciusko. Today, the Michael H. Ball Veterans of Foreign Wars post, headed up by army veteran and former Carroll County Chancery Clerk Stanley “Sugar” Mullins, is carrying on great work for veterans in this area.
Our veterans are the best of America -- those who answered the call when their nation needed them, who paid the ultimate price to protect us and our way of life. We must remember the fallen because the courage, the strength, the selflessness, and the sacrifice of each one of these brave warriors are the ideals to which we all should aspire.
The United States lost more than 400,000 of its sons and daughters in World War II. We know that 54,246 American service members gave their lives in Korea; and 58,209 in Vietnam. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we lost 6,713 American service members. Here in this area we have generations of family members who have served our country.
It is comforting to remember how through the years, as when veteran’s groups begin their meetings and programs, we are comforted by our faith. Rev. Edward Carpenter, who is also a veteran, has led many of these organizations in their opening prayer.
“I was honored to serve our country for 13 years in the 173rd quartermaster company. But I am extremely proud of my father Robert Carpenter who served our country in World War II and came home as a wounded veteran. I love this country and I love my Lord Jesus Christ. And I pray often for our military leaders and our soldiers who are serving here and overseas. God bless America.” Rev. Carpenter said.
Hoping that you have a blessed Memorial Day with carrying our faith with us, honoring those who served, and gave so much for our country and our freedoms.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton and is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors.
