SMACKOVER, Ark.-Shining high over the city of Smackover is a well-lit cross that holds a long history with the town.
Eddie's Cross is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit for Smackover residents, a symbol of what the faith of a child can do.
"I remember being about five years old. We lived in the country, but when we came to town, you could see it up that old oak tree on 13th Street," recalled Smackover Mayor Bobby Neal. "It was an old wooden cross that had the holes for you to screw the light bulbs in it. He climbed that tree every year and screwed those light bulbs in."
Something so uncomplicated continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the town's residents 81 years later.
A young Smackover native named Eddie Rouse built the cross in December 1935, and entered it into the town's annual Christmas decoration contest, the El Dorado News-Times reported. It was a simple design, just two boards, nailed together, painted white and wired so it would illuminate.
He shimmied up the large oak tree in his family's yard on 13th Street, and the whole town could see it shining over them through the Christmas season.
Not only did Eddie win the Christmas decoration contest that year, but he also continued to win every year until the city placed it into its own special category.
He continued this tradition well into adulthood. The people of Smackover would anticipate the appearance of the cross each year as it silently reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.
Rouse was a star athlete and had a scholarship to attend Mississippi State University to play football. He had a bright future ahead, but it was not meant to be.
"Events were taking place that would alter the course of world history and change the paths of many young people.
"We went to war," said former museum director and local historian Don Lambert. "Like thousands of others, Eddie was in college one day and in the Army the next. That's what a draft notice could do. He promptly volunteered for paratroopers and sailed for Europe in late August of 1944."
His unit was attached to General George Patton's Third Army and saw action in Belgium.
While overseas, Eddie's mother, Katherine Rouse, made sure to maintain the tradition of the cross, and had it placed at the top of the oak tree, leaving it in its place awaiting the return of Eddie.
Unfortunately, the day would never come, and Katherine had to face the hardest thing a mother could ever know.
On Dec. 10, 1944, she received a telegram explaining that a sniper's bullet took Eddie's life. He was just 22 years old.
As a way to remember their son, the Rouses continued to have the cross placed in the tree every year until their passing.
After that, Eddie's uncle took over the job of placing it each Christmas on one of the town's television towers.
"That television tower was about 100-feet tall, and he put it up on it," said Neal.
When he moved away, the city then took over and placed the cross on the Cross Street water tower.
"We took it off of there, because it made it real hard to care for the water tower," Neal said.
For a while it stood on a tower by the fire station, but it was moved again after it was blown over and was damaged. The metal that covered it was replaced by Long's sheet metal in El Dorado.
Now Eddie's Cross may be seen year-round thanks to Jerry Langley, who had it mounted on a tower in the lot next to the Copper Pot, and in the last two months the lights have been replaced with LEDs.
"It should be good for a while," Neal said. While the cross can be seen every day of the year, but it is only lighted twice.
The cross is lighted for the holiday season following the city's annual Christmas parade.
Everyone gathers in Kennedy Park for a picture in Santa's lap, hot cocoa, and to hear the mayor to read the story of Eddie's Cross before he lights it and the town's Christmas tree for the holiday.
The town also lights the cross on Easter to remind everyone what the holiday is all about. "Eddie didn't put it up for Easter, but it has become part of our tradition," Neal explained.
To the people of Smackover, Eddie's Cross has come to be a symbol of hope for the town, a reminder that it's not about what is under a tree at this time of year, but what is in your heart and how you treat others.
"It is a cherished piece of our town's history and a precious reminder of the real reason for the season," said Neal.
It also serves as a memorial for Eddie, a tribute to what the faith of a child can do. It can bring a town together, in spite of the tragedy of losing one of their own.
"This is the 81st year that the light of Eddie's Cross has been shining over the town of Smackover. We hope the tradition of lighting Eddie's Cross each Christmas continues for many years to come," said Neal.