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Webster, Choctaw county residents gather to honor deploying National Guardsmen |
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Monday, 27 April 2009 |
By GWEN SISSON
Starkville Daily News
EUPORA —The sound of hundreds of voices uniting in “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!” against the sound of numerous American flags beating in the wind was a powerful way to begin a Departure Ceremony for the 2nd-114th Strike Battalion, which is deploying to Iraq as part of the Mississippi National Guard’s 155th Brigade Combat Team.
Mary Lynn McCully of First United Methodist Church lead the audience in singing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Onward Christian Soldiers” as friends and family gathered to honor the sons and daughters, the mommas and the daddies, and the brothers and sisters and the best friends that are the 2nd-114th, one of eight battalions statewide in the 155th.
The Eupora Rotary Club sponsored Sunday afternoon’s ceremony, which drew hundreds of the soldiers’ family and friends from Webster and Choctaw counties.
The event began as a parade beginning at the Depot in downtown Eupora, featuring the 2nd-114th marching along with the Eupora High School Marching Band and members of the Christian Motorcycle Association and others, along Highway 9 in Eupora to the Garan parking lot where the ceremony began.
People lined the highway waving flags and holding signs that said “I Love You Daddy” and other saying of love and support.
Once members of the 2nd-114th were seated on the stage, family and friends spread out in the available seating and lawn chairs to enjoy an afternoon to honor their loved ones.
As Larry White of the Eupora Rotary Club welcomed the crowd, he said wearing red on Fridays will be a symbol of support, and a reminder to pray for the troops overseas. T-shirts saying “Red Friday until the 155th Returns Home” will be sold throughout Webster and Choctaw counties to remind residents to remember “those who serve to keep freedom free.
Eupora Mayor Tommy Lott reminded the crowd to pray without ceasing for the Guardsmen, who will serve in Iraq until at least April 2010.
Pastors from several churches through Webster and Choctaw counties spoke to the troops and their families, with words of encouragement.
The Rev. Travis Gray from First Baptist Church in Eupora shared Psalms 16 that begins “Keep me safe, O God…” and thanked the troops and their families for their devotion and courage, followed by Bill Stewart, Jr., sang “You Are God Alone.”
The Rev. James Hill, Jr., pastor of Eupora Church of God, said the Bible talks about being a good soldier, and shared with the crowd several characteristics of a “Good Soldier” while donning his own cap notating his own designation as a veteran.
Hill said a good soldier is a strong soldier –strong mentally, physically and spiritually. A good soldier endures sorrow, and assured the troops that our thoughts and prayers would be with the troops and their families as they leave to go into the combat zone. He said a good soldier was steadfast, defined by Hill as unmovable, patient and enduring.
Hill said a good soldier was studious. A good soldier was sanctified, which he described as set aside for a particular purpose, such as their service overseas. And finally, a good soldier was always serving – serving our country with great pride. He ended his time by quoting two Latin words that best describe a good soldier, which mean always faithful.
Everyone stood as Jennifer Putnam sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”
As they settled back into their seats, the Rev. Larry Halford, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Eupora, asked the troops and their families if they have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Halford said members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church have divided all of the names of the 2nd-114th and have committed to praying for the safety and protection of each member of the unit daily.
The choir of Walthall Baptist Church sand “It is Finished” and their pastor William Weddle, used the song as the basis for his message of encouragement to the troops. He reminded everyone that the battles that have been going on throughout time have been conflicts between the forces of good and evil.
“The safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will,” Weddle said. “And we believe this is God’s will.”
Weddle asked the crowd, “Is it finished?” He shared three questions that have to be asked as guardsmen from Webster and Choctaw counties make their second tour overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom
Weddle asked: Is there pleasure in war? He said no one in their right mind likes war. It is the result of sinful fallen nature. Throughout history, Weddle said the best generals have been those who hated war.
Weddle asked, is there a purpose for war? He said God has three purposes for warfare, defense, liberation and judgement.
“God wants us to live peaceably with all men,” Weddle said, “but there are times to defend our family and our nation.”
He quoted Aristotle who said “We make war, so we can live in peace.”
And the final question Weddle asked, can there be peace in war?
“God does not like war, but he does allow it to fulfill His purposes,” Weddle said. “…despite all the confusion all around us, we can have peace through Jesus Christ.”
Weddle prayed, asking God to keep these men and women safe and bring them back home.
Following Weddle’s message, Mississippi Senator Gary Jackson asked Mississippi Representative Danny Reed and other state legislators to join him on stage to present a plaque to the family of Justin Cooper, a fallen soldier from Webster County.
Jackson said despite all of the differences of opinion in the Mississippi Legislature, the one thing everyone agrees on is honoring fallen soldiers.
“An anniversary is coming up that your family will never forget,” Jackson said. “We know that will always be an empty chair at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
The Eupora High School Band played “My Country Tis O Thee,” and Rev. Ryan Brown, pastor of Best Salem M.B. Church of Ackerman gave the benediction.
The Eupora Rotary Club and numerous sponsors hosted a hamburger cookout for the troops and their families and friends. The community was invited to eat and fellowship with the troops, saying some of their final well wishes before the Guardsmen leave for Camp Shelby this week.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 April 2009 )
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