Let's hear about Memorial Day from a real veteran

By TRICIA NEAL, Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal

Somerset May 27, 2008 07:29 am

— Seems that I learn a little something new every time I attend an event at Mill Springs. Monday was no different.
This time, however, the moment that touched my heart came in an unexpected way.
As always, I was excited to be covering the Memorial Day ceremony at the Mill Springs National Cemetery. It was a beautiful day. I enjoy the opportunity to pause and think about the sacrifices our military veterans have made. And the combination of white grave markers, star-spangled flags, blue skies, and hundreds of spectators always provides poignant photographs.
As the ceremony began, I snapped a few pictures of the crowd and the speakers. Nothing special. I would be getting better shots later — when the soldiers placed a wreath beneath the flagpole, when the trumpet player belted out his sad tune, when family members of deceased veterans placed flowers at their loved ones’ graves. ... There would be plenty of time for photographs.
I took a quick picture of the day’s featured speaker, Sgt. 1st Class Alan L. Mayfield of the 149th Kentucky National Guard, and then planned to take some notes while he spoke.
But then my camera made a long beeping sound — the kind that I never like to hear while I’m right in the middle of an event. My batteries, which I had just charged late last week, were dead.
Confident that the batteries would last through the ceremony, I had left my camera case — along with my extra batteries — in my car, which was parked clear on the other side of the cemetery.
I sprinted from the side of the stage to my car — wondering why NOW the weather had finally decided to act like summer — and retrieved the extra batteries.
Sgt. Mayfield continued with his speech. I’m sure it was informative. It was probably quite moving. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what he said because I could no longer hear him from my car.
With my second set of batteries locked into place, I was ready to spring back into action.
My camera, however, was not.
My back-up batteries were also dead.
I ran to the Mill Springs Museum and Visitors Center to see if anyone working in there could help.
No luck. At least I got to cool off in the building for a while.
I began my long trek back across the cemetery to the site of the ceremony, although I knew I had already missed Sgt. Mayfield’s speech.
What would I do? Readers would be counting on finding a heart-warming, patriotic piece in Tuesday’s newspaper — and I had missed not only my opportunity to take any pictures, but also my chance to relay the speaker’s words.
As I hurried to my destination, I looked up to see an older gentleman walking toward me. I vaguely recognized him. I thought I may have seen him at a few other Memorial Day ceremonies over the years. He was obviously a veteran.
As our paths crossed, I couldn’t help but notice his broad, friendly smile. I was in quite a hurry, but I knew I should at least smile and say hello.
I forget how our conversation started. I didn’t even mean to have a conversation with him. I was focused on getting back to what was left of the ceremony — and maybe finding someone who had some batteries to share with me. But, before I knew it, I was telling this stranger of my dilemma — and he was listening, still with a calming, friendly grin.
He had no camera. No batteries. There was no way he could help me, I thought.
But when I mentioned that I had missed Sgt. Mayfield’s speech, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me.
“I gave this speech yesterday in Wayne County,” he said.
I was still in a hurry, but I didn’t want to be rude, so I paused to glance at the copy of his own Memorial Day speech.
Then it hit me.
“Do you have another copy of this?” I asked him.
He did, so he let me keep the one he had given me.
Maybe — instead of reading a reporter’s re-telling of the events which occurred at the Mill Springs National Cemetery — readers of this newspaper would benefit greater from seeing the words of a true veteran ... one who is a hero of his own era, who surely faced tragedies and struggles in his lifetime, but who took the time to show kindness to a young woman facing a “struggle” of her own.
This Memorial Day, I had the opportunity to genuinely thank a veteran. In the flurry of activity, I forgot to thank him for his years of service to the armed forces, and for the sacrifices he made so that my children and I can live in a free country — and I am grateful for that.
This year, however, I’m also grateful that I have had the opportunity to know some of the individuals who make up “The Greatest Generation” — not just those who fought during World War II, but those who survived the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict ... like the friendly gentleman at the cemetery, James Luid Hammond.
These men are, literally, a dying breed. Just look at today’s obituary section. Two veterans are listed there.
If you have a member of “The Greatest Generation” in your family, please take the time to listen to their stories. If you aren’t lucky enough to be related to an older veteran, take the time to get to know one.
And now you’ve read enough from this young whipper-snapper who is a virtual stranger to war. Below are Korean War veteran James Luid Hammond’s thoughts on Memorial Day.
•••
On this Memorial Day, we are called to remember the cost of bringing America to this day of peace and prosperity on our continent, and to understand that the price is not yet paid in full. This is what Memorial Day symbolizes — a time Americans take a clear look at both our past and our future. One day each year, we acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who, because they so cherished peace, chose to live as warriors. And many paid the ultimate price, sacrificing their own lives.
Because of their love of America, through the years, our soldiers have spent long years in foreign lands, far from American shores.
Because they revere freedom, they have sacrificed their own that we may be free.
They have defended our right to live as individuals, yet they have willingly laid aside their personal identities.
And, although our soldiers value life, many have bravely given themselves to die in the service of our country.
For well over 200 years, our military has provided protection against our enemies. In that time, our world has changed, and our armed forces have changed with it, but the valor, dignity, and courage of the men and women in uniform remain the same. From Valley Forge to Desert Storm, from San Juan Hill to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the fighting spirit of the American soldier permeates the history of our nation.
The founders of the United States understood that the military would be the rampart from which America would guard its freedom. George Washington once stated, “By keeping up in peace a well-regulated and disciplined military, we shall take the fairest and best method to preserve for a long time to come the happiness, dignity, and independence of our country.” The prophecy of those words has been fulfilled time and again.
The cost of that vision has been tremendous, for the periods of peace our country has enjoyed are few. The longest time of complete peace for our armed forces was the 23 years between World War I and World War II. Since the Revolutionary War, millions of men and women have served in America’s armed forces. Hundreds of thousands of those selfless warriors have died in combat. In the current war in Iraq, more than 4,000 have died.
Why are we so seemingly willing to fight, and, if need be, to die? The answer to that question is rather simple. We fight because we believe — not that war is good, but that sometimes it is necessary. Our soldiers fight and die not for the glory of war, but for the prize of freedom.
As we remember these brave warriors and their comrades in arms on this Memorial Day, we must look to the future as well as the past.
In today’s world, freedom comes cloaked in uncertainty. America still relies on her sons and daughters to defend her liberty. The cost of independence remains high, but we are willing to pay it. We do not pay it gladly, but we pay it with deep reverence and thanks to those who have sacrificed their lives for America. We know that in the years to come, more brave souls will sacrifice their lives for America. We include them in our thoughts and prayers today.
The soldiers who paid freedom’s ultimate cost have not died in vain. They gave their all that we might enjoy one of God’s greatest gifts — freedom.
May God bless you, and may God bless America.

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