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VOL. 32 NO. 22 936 -254-3618 FAX 936-254-3206 P.O. BOX 740, TIMPSON , TX 75975 (email: ttnews@ttnewsinc.com) web: www.ttnewsinc.com

ThursdayMay 31, 2012

75¢Serving Timpson & surrounding communities since 1885

Home of Larry ‘Dude’ and Susan Jones

Timpson & Tenaha News “It takes a hero to be one of those men who went into battle.”

Memorial Day was once called "Decoration Day." The United States of America has set aside this day to remember and honor the brave service men and women who have died in the service to our country. Today, we want to remember the Ameri-can soldiers, sailors, air-men, and marines who have fought and died for freedom. We also want to recognize the fact that their sacrifice was to protect

their loved one's right to freedom and liberty.

Each veteran and each family member who's loved one gave their life in service to our country, has a responsibility to re-mind the next generation that freedom is worth fight-ing for. We must let them know that service men and women feel a responsibil-ity to protect our county's freedom and we want to give the next generation a since of hope for the future.

Timpson remembers the fallen at the annual Memorial Day Service

A month ago, I was talk-ing with a young man who was considering pursuing a career in the military. He and his friend were in my office, and he asked me how I felt about his decision. I let him know that military service goes beyond traveling and re-ceiving a paycheck.

Each service member takes an oath to defend the constitution of the United States of America. The first amendment of the constitu-

2012 Tenaha High School Graduates celebrate by tossing their caps into the air

tion grants each US citizen the right of "freedom of speech". That right gives us the freedom to express our views without the fear of government reprisal. I told those two young men that in order to have a successful career in the military, you must be will-ing to make sacrifices to defend this portion of the constitution, and the other parts as well.

I told them about an incident that happened to me when I was stationed in San Diego, California. I was waiting in line at the post office to pick up my mail because my ship had been out to sea doing training exercises. As I approached the counter, I wasn't in my uniform but I took out my military ID card. There was a lady standing behind me and she caught a glimpse of my ID and said "Excuse me, but I see you are in the military." I said to her , "Yes ma' am, I am." When I said that,· she began to exercise her right of free-dom of speech, and began expressing her disregard to all service men and women who are serving on active duty. She said hateful, dis-respectful, and rude things about military men and women. When this .lady finished, all eyes were on me. A thousand things went through my mind. But I remembered my oath. I made a choice to protect this woman's constitu-tional right of "freedom of speech." I told the two young men in my office that everyone might not have the same respect for military men and women, but others have fought and died to protect this woman's right to express her views in public.

To me, Memorial Day is like what happened to

me when I returned to the United States after serv-ing 10 months, forward deployed, in the 7th fleet. I returned home in April of 2008 after serving onboard the Guided Missile De-stroyer, USS McCampbell and having spent total of 273 days at sea in 2007. When I returned to the US, I was stationed in San An-tonio, Texas, at the Texas Cryptology Center. One day I was heading home after a very stressful day at work. I was tired, ag-gravated, and just wanted to go to my apartment and watch my episodes of Sponge Bob that I had recorded the day before.

I stopped at the grocery store to pick up something quick to eat, and I no-ticed this older lady in the store who seemed to be watching me. As I gathered the few little items in my hands, the lady approached me. She said, "I see by your uniform that you are in the Navy." I said to her, "Yes ma'am, I am." But in my mind I was saying, "Here we go again."

The lady then began to exercise her right of "freedom of speech" and said to me, "My husband wore a uniform just like that, and when I saw you, I remembered him." She then said to me, "Would

By: Vernett Richardson you mind if I gave you a hug and said "Thank you" for your service to our country?" Once again, all eyes were on me. As this lady gave me a short, but gentle hug, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our chil-dren in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, pro-tected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

To me, every day is Memorial Day. Thousands of Americans have given their lives with the ultimate sacrifice. They have given their lives so that we can have and enjoy freedom. Although this day was not intended to be one of celebration, its purpose is to remember the courage and commitment of brave military men and wom-en, who have served the United States of America with honor. This is a day to exercise our freedom to peacefully gather without fear of reprisal and thank God for great service men and women.

Timpson High School Band plays patriotic songs during ceremony.

Timpsonites gather at Gazebo for Memorial Day Service

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Thursday, May 31, 2012 Page A11See www.ttnewsinc.com for breaking news & photos Timpson & Tenaha News, Inc.

Scenes from 2012 Memorial Day Service in Timpson

Gold Star Recognition

The City of Timpson thanks you for

remembering those Heroes who made the

ultimate sacrifice for our FREEDOM!!