NEWSOMS
Honor and duty are the two elements that can explain a person’s commitment to service to their country, even if that price should include his or her life.

That was the Rev. Armand Jalbert’s view when he delivered the Memorial service on Sunday in Newsoms Baptist Church.

Rain — again! — forced participants inside instead of the nearby Hollywood Cemetery. Following patriotic selections performed on trumpet by Chris Jernigan, guests were welcomed by Brew Trew, and the invocation recited by the Rev. Darwin Edwards of Newsoms United Methodist Church gave the invocation. The Rev. Jalbert had led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by his wife, Naoka Jalbert, who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

After being introduced by Nancy Bunn, the pastor gave some personal background, which included his own time in the Navy.

As he pointed out, “One thing I learned: there is nothing glorious about warfare. Lives are lost, people are maimed physically and mentally. Mothers and fathers lose their sons and daughters.”

Service is dangerous is war, peace and even training, but those who defend the country, “do so with pride.” The Rev. Jalbert then quoted a Marine general who said to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, “You signed blank checks payable with your lives to the American people.”

The full text of the pastor’s speech can be found on page A2.

Linda Drake led the audience in a selection of patriotic songs, including “God Bless America,” and Jernigan closed with “Taps.”

‘Who more than self their country loved’

SEDLEY
Because of inclement weather, Sedley Baptist Church — rather than Rosemont Cemetery — became the setting for the observance of Memorial Day, albeit a week early. The pastor, Rev. Jim Foreman, spoke about the occasion, noting how it’s become a three-day weekend to so many people. But he called on those present to find a deeper and more meaningful reason to observe the holiday.

The Rev. Foreman recalled when he swore a personal oath of service in June 1968.

“I could remember raising my right hand,” which he said exemplifies that soldiers are defenders.

Through the generosity and work of the GFWC Sedley Woman’s Club, flags were placed on veterans’ graves to honor their service.

Referring to the flags that are put on the graves of the fallen, the pastor said that “each flag represents one who swore an oath. They wrote a check with their lives.”

Further, they died so these documents — The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution — live on.

The Rev. Foreman also compared a serviceman’s sacrifice with that of Jesus Christ, who died for the sake of all humanity.

To illustrate the former, the pastor picked out a line from “America, the Beautiful:” “Who more than self their country loved.”

Chris Jernigan closed the program with his performance of “Taps” on the trumpet.

‘Freedom is not free’

IVOR
The Rev. David Barlow of Rocky Hock Church in Surry County was the invited speaker at the Memorial service in the town hall of Ivor on May 22.

Addressing the small audience of about 25, he called on them to “remember where we came from,” and pointed out how family Bibles often have pages that trace the owners’ background — births, christenings, marriages, more births and deaths.

Even stained-glass windows in churches often dedications with the names of loved ones.

“As long as they stand, they’ll be remembered,” said the pastor.

So, too, do the stones in the nearby cemetery cause people to remember the men and women who died in service to the country.

“If we were at the cemetery, we would see that somebody doesn’t want that person to be forgotten. Maybe we should ask, ‘Who was that person?’ and “What did God do in these people’s lives?’”

The Rev. Barlow continued, “Freedom is not free. It cost God his Son, Jesus Christ. … Don’t let people tell you this is not a Christian nation.”

He noted that with each year, there are smaller and smaller crowds at such services, and that the occasion is becoming less important to Americans.

“If we forget where we came from, how will we know where we’re going? We can’t allow these sacrifices to be in vain.”

Wyatt and Curt Newsome were featured musicians, performing patriotic songs on fiddle and guitar.