Unseasonably warm temperatures and windy conditions greeted those gathering to pay tribute and give special recognition to our military, active and retired, Friday morning at the White Hall Museum and Veterans Monument.
The 106th Army Band from Camp Robinson presented the Star Spangled Banner to begin the ceremonies. Pastor Paul Williams with the First Baptist Church of White Hall led the group in prayer.
“Today we are here to honor all of you,” said White Hall Mayor Noel Foster as he began the ceremony.
“It is very humbling to me. Foster added. I have family members that have served in the armed forces, Veterans in my family and I appreciate the sacrifices and the freedoms that I have in this country.”
Foster took a moment before to give special recognition to attending Veteran, Harry Sy Joe, who recently turned 100 years old. Sy Joe, born in China on Oct. 28, came to the United States with his uncle when he was eight years old. He enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in 1943 and was stationed at Grider Field as an airplane mechanic. Upon becoming a U.S. citizen, he completed basic training and was transfered to Fort Sumnner in New Mexico until his discharge in 1947.
He was also owner of Sy Joe’s Pagoda, the first Chinese restaurant in Pine Bluff, a place admittingly nostalgic to Foster as a child. “He has earned the respect and affection of people from all walks of life.” said Foster.
Speaker, Bo Fontaine, a retired Jefferson County Sherriff and a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War decorated with a silver star, two bronze stars and four purple hearts, described the day as “a celebration of many people that have gone before us,” and grabbed the attention of all present with his reading of excerpts from the General Douglas MacArthur’s 1962 speech to the Corps of Cadets at West Point, N.Y. “This speech, by one of our countries greatest military leaders is timeless and is as important today as it was in 1962, said Fontaine. This speech ranks with President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address which was one of the most moving and greatest public speeches ever given.”
“Too many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the U.S. may enjoy freedom and prosperity,” read Fontaine.
Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, and what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith and to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.”
Fontaine gave special recognition to area veterans that were killed or missing in action and for each name he spoke, Museum Director Mary Lou Mauldin struck a bell.
The White Hall JROTC presented the colors and the American flag proudly waved high on top of the White Hall Volunteer Fire Department ladder truck. Richard Bailey with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) played “TAPS” on his trumpet at the opening of the ceremony. Other special guests at the ceremony were the Arkansas Fallen Riders Association. Everyone attending enjoyed the fellowship and tours of the museum grounds were given after the ceremony.
Unseasonably warm temperatures and windy conditions greeted those gathering to pay tribute and give special recognition to our military, active and retired, Friday morning at the White Hall Museum and Veterans Monument.
The 106th Army Band from Camp Robinson presented the Star Spangled Banner to begin the ceremonies. Pastor Paul Williams with the First Baptist Church of White Hall led the group in prayer.
“Today we are here to honor all of you,” said White Hall Mayor Noel Foster as he began the ceremony.
“It is very humbling to me. Foster added. I have family members that have served in the armed forces, Veterans in my family and I appreciate the sacrifices and the freedoms that I have in this country.”
Foster took a moment before to give special recognition to attending Veteran, Harry Sy Joe, who recently turned 100 years old. Sy Joe, born in China on Oct. 28, came to the United States with his uncle when he was eight years old. He enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in 1943 and was stationed at Grider Field as an airplane mechanic. Upon becoming a U.S. citizen, he completed basic training and was transfered to Fort Sumnner in New Mexico until his discharge in 1947.
He was also owner of Sy Joe’s Pagoda, the first Chinese restaurant in Pine Bluff, a place admittingly nostalgic to Foster as a child. “He has earned the respect and affection of people from all walks of life.” said Foster.
Speaker, Bo Fontaine, a retired Jefferson County Sherriff and a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War decorated with a silver star, two bronze stars and four purple hearts, described the day as “a celebration of many people that have gone before us,” and grabbed the attention of all present with his reading of excerpts from the General Douglas MacArthur’s 1962 speech to the Corps of Cadets at West Point, N.Y. “This speech, by one of our countries greatest military leaders is timeless and is as important today as it was in 1962, said Fontaine. This speech ranks with President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address which was one of the most moving and greatest public speeches ever given.”
“Too many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the U.S. may enjoy freedom and prosperity,” read Fontaine.
Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, and what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith and to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.”
Fontaine gave special recognition to area veterans that were killed or missing in action and for each name he spoke, Museum Director Mary Lou Mauldin struck a bell.
The White Hall JROTC presented the colors and the American flag proudly waved high on top of the White Hall Volunteer Fire Department ladder truck. Richard Bailey with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) played “TAPS” on his trumpet at the opening of the ceremony. Other special guests at the ceremony were the Arkansas Fallen Riders Association. Everyone attending enjoyed the fellowship and tours of the museum grounds were given after the ceremony.
