A spatter of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the annual Memorial Day Services held by the American Legion Post 59 on Monday, May 25th on the Ohio County Courthouse Lawn.
Ohio County native Kenny Williams, son of Bea Williams and the late Leroy Jr. Williams, was the 2015 Grand Marshal, riding in a jeep by emcee Bill Parks.
Sgt. Williams served in the US Army from 1966-1968 where he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with V for Valor, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, and Combat Infantry Badge.
He was wounded in action in August 1967 when his armored Personnel Carrier hit a land mine.
He married Darla Cook in 1984 and has five children and seven great grandchildren. He is a member of the American Legion Post 59.
Also recognized was Bush White, the lone World War II in attendance; along with Korean War Veteran Robert Weber.
Guest speaker was Commander Dick Jewell, a Vietnam Veteran and member of the Liberty American Legion Post 122.
He and his wife Ida are Army Veterans along with their daughter Carole and stepsons Scott and Steve Stirn. The family has served over 60 years in the Army and Reserve/National Guard including three Korean tours, two tours in Germany and eight combat tours in Vietnam, Somalia, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The ceremony included selections by the Rising Sun High school Band (dressed in relaxed blue tee-shirts donated by the legion). Gary Copeland performed the National Anthem then sang a medley of songs with Stan Slack, Russell Slack and Greg Matthews (known as Generations Quartet).
Post chaplain K.C. Snyder gave the opening and closing prayer.
Commander Roger Jones read the list of veterans who have passed away since last year’s ceremony including: Mike Billingsley, Hansell (Doc) Chase, Jeff Cosby, Samuel Eggleston, Ralph Harlow, James Henderson, Herbert Hedrick, Michael Hobbs, Edgar Jackson, Paul Leive, Paul Lelli, Bill McClure, Otis Noe, Larrie Palmer, Louis Peters, Bill Rowling, Richard Schramm, James O. Smith, Jackie Stowe, Norman A. Taylor, Donald Wagner, Thomas Welling, and Arnold Webster
The American Legion Color Guard had the 21-gun salute with band members Claudio Gallegos and Ben Eads playing taps.
Mark Morton closed by playing the bagpipes and fading away.