Honoring the Fallen

An early afternoon downpour lifted just in time for East Memorial Gardens to host its 51st annual Memorial Day Service on Sunday.

This year's event featured the most recent American soldiers who have fought to defend their country-Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans J. Matthew Fisk and Benjamin Hayhurst.

"As I was listening to the National Anthem being sung today, it seemed amazing to me that a cloth that is full of various colors, like the American flag, can have so much meaning in it," said Fisk, a member of the U.S. First Cavalry Division. "I know that there are people who feel free to stomp on the flag, but I sometimes wonder if those very same people would do the same thing if they saw the flag draped over a coffin of someone who had personally helped save their lives."

Fisk then reflected back on the time he was serving in Iraq, during the siege of Sadr City in April of 2004, in a northeastern district of Baghdad.

Fisk became part of Task Force Lancer, a ground force operation designed to battle enemy forces in the district.

"For all of America's Gold Star families, I want to say thank you," Fisk said. "I sincerely believe the only reason we survived was the fact that so many of our fellow servicemen joined up with us. While fighting we also assisted Iraqi residents and conducted humanitarian efforts-like handing out food supplies, medical supplies, school supplies and water."

Hayhurst said the siege became a running battle that lasted more then 70 days.

"I was one of 62 classified as injured enough to go home, but so many of us couldn't wait to get back to help our fellow brothers in arms," Hayhurst said.

Fisk, Hayhurst and other veterans of the Sadr City siege plan to open what they will call Lancer Legacy Past Ranch and use it as a healing place for military veterans of all wars.

"We had no idea what to expect. Fisk said. "We saw so many vehicles exiting the city, and that's when we knew something was about to happen. We were in a complex ambush. We had two vehicles and 19 people. When the rest of the city realized we were there, we took ownership of an Iraqi home and defended ourselves in the alleyways nearby. The enemy crowded in on both sides of the alley and eventually they would have overwhelmed us. But then other American forces came in, and people who I never met before shot their way through to us and rescued us. They are the reason that Ben and I are still here today. I owe my life to them. Because of them, I now get to see my daughter grow up and I get to help start this ranch. Everyone knows about the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made. I feel like that early generation of Christians. I feel that sense of loss and sorrow, but I feel galvanized to do something great."

Memorial Day events continue today, starting at 11 a.m., with a 30-minute service hosted by the American Legion Post 25-58 at the Miller County Courthouse-weather permitting. Should it be raining, the 11 a.m. event will be held inside the American Legion Post building in the 500 block of East Broad Street. This event will be followed immediately by the annual Memorial Day Walk from the courthouse to the Korean-Vietnam Memorial at West Seventh Street and North State Line Avenue-weather permitting. There, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #278, will host their 32nd annual Memorial Day service starting at 11:45 a.m.

The final service will be at 1 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on U.S. Highway 678 West.

For more information, call 870-773-8279.

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