Panola War Casualty Honored At Ceremony
Commander Sam Phillips of Post 4100 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented a Certificate of Remembrance to Betty Holmes in honor of her son, Sgt. David A. Holmes, who died of wounds sustained during an attack in Afghanistan.
Water Valley’s First Lady Betty Hart sang the National Anthem.
Water Valley Mayor Larry Hart asked veterans to raise their hand during the Veterans Day observance last Thursday in Railroad Park. “Put it up proudly…high,” he said. “I thank God each day for our wonderful America. And, thank God for those who serve America.”
Rep. Tommy Reynolds said that all veterans should be recognized no matter if they served on the battlefield or during peacetime.
Col. Robert Thomas of the office of the Adjutant General of Mississippi, spoke at the Veterans Day observance. He said that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans choose to serve in the military. – Photo by Jack Gurner
Col. Robert Thomas with just a portion of the crowd visible.
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month more than a hundred people gathered at the Veterans Monument in Railroad Park to honor those who have served our country.
Veterans Day is a special time to remember all veterans, both the living and the dead, said Commander Sam Phillips of Post 4100 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Phillips opened the annual ceremony last Thursday and introduced the guest speaker, Col. Robert Thomas with the office of The Adjutant General of Mississippi.
Col. Thomas praised the value of our military and emphasized that there is no draft today. “These patriots have chosen to defend our freedoms and our way of life. All of our men and women in uniform today do so because they love America.”
He gave as an example Georgia National Guard Sergeant David A. Holmes Jr., who grew up on Cotton Plant Road in Panola County and graduated from South Panola High School in 1995.
Sgt. Holmes died in Sayed Abad, Afghanistan June 26 of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
“Giving his life in defense of his America and that for which she stands. Sgt. Holmes is truly the noblest development of mankind,” Col Thomas said. “The story of America is inscribed in her history with the blood of her patriots.”
Col Thomas added that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans choose to serve in the military. He said that he is often asked why he chose to wear the uniform.
“We do so because we love America,” he said of himself and other military personnel. “We do so because we love and desire to defend our right to live free as individuals.”
“Holding the line and standing in the gap and challenging the enemy does not define America as a nation of warriors. Yet, warriors we become when our freedom is challenged.”
“Thank God for our warriors and our veterans.”
Others who participated in the annual observance included Bro. Rick Glidewell, Pastor of the Hopewell Baptist Church; Joyce Phillips, President of the Post 4100 Ladies Auxiliary; James Gordon, Judge Advocate for the VFW Department of Mississippi; Rep. Tommy Reynolds; and Water Valley Mayor Larry Hart.
The Mayor asked veterans to raise their hand. “Put it up proudly…high,” he said. “I thank God each day for our wonderful America. And, thank God for those who serve America.”
Hart praised those veterans who died in the service of their country. But, he also praised those who serve in supporting roles.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Phillips read from a Certificate of Remembrance in honor of Sgt. Holmes, which he presented to Holmes’ mother, Betty Holmes.
Phillips said that he had one final thing. He unfolded a piece of paper that had been hand delivered to him by third grader Haley J. Wigington.
Haley had written: “I love my veterans. I am blessed with a great life. I am thankful for the people who fought for our safety. I am thankful for those who died for our lives. I love y’all, VFW.”
