Paulding County Memorial Day Service Held Despite Weather

Stormy weather did not deter American Legion Post 111 and the Paulding County Veterans Memorial Committee from holding the 25th Annual Paulding County Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 28, 2018. Due to intermittent rain, the service was moved from downtown Dallas to American Legion Post 111. Despite the venue change, many local officials and citizens filled the American Legion to honor all members of the United States military who died while serving our country, with a special remembrance for the eighty-two Paulding County Veterans who perished in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and in the Middle East.
The service began with a presentation of colors by members of the Paulding County Sheriff and Fire Department Honor Guards. This was followed by our National Anthem, sung beautifully by Ms. Tabitha Ketchum. The crowd gathered for the occasion then recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. American Legion Post 111 Commander, Mr. Bill Fleisch, introduced Mr. William McPherson, Chaplain of Post 111, who provided the invocation.
Mr. David Altwies, the Senior Vice Commander of American Legion Post 111, then recited a poem written by fellow Post member, Mr. James "Jim" Stockton, a United States Marine Corp Veteran and Iwo Jima survivor.
After the poem, Mr. John Black, Past Commander of American Legion Post 111 introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. Stevan H. Crew, a thirty-three-year member of Post 111, who served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972 during the Vietnam War.
During the first part of his speech, Mr. Crew spoke about three principals of success - preciseness, compassion, and forgiveness. He relayed that each of these principals applied not only to those in the military but also to everyday citizens. "Preciseness" is important to do a job right, "compassion" is needed for teamwork, and "forgiveness" is needed to learn from and move on after mistakes so that they “don't drag you down.”
Mr. Crew then gave examples of two local Veterans who embodied these principals of success - Captain Hal C. Hutchens, of the United States Army and Lt. Colonel Captain Thomas H. Rogers Jr. of the United States Marine Corps. Amongst many other accomplishments, Captain Hutchens was awarded the Silver Star, "the United States military's third-highest medal for valor in combat" during World War I, while Lt. Colonel Rogers, who served for twenty-three years, including time during World War II and Korea, was presented two Bronze Stars for "heroic or meritorious achievement or service," as well as a Purple Heart.
In concluding, Mr. Crew encouraged those in attendance to remember that the United States "is the home of the free, because of the brave."
After the keynote address, Mr. Devon Morgado, an active member of the Army National Guard; Mr. John Cagle, the current Director of the American Legion Riders; Mr. Terry Sargent, the Director-elect of the American Legion Riders; Mr. Jason Morgado, a U.S. Army Veteran; Mr. Tony Propst, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and Mr. Jason Ausmus, a U.S. Army Veteran, recited the names of the fallen Paulding County Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Chaplain McPherson then presented a baseball hat to the oldest member in attendance from each branch of service.
In concluding, a solemn Moment of Silence was held in remembrance of the fallen service members followed by the always impressive Twenty-One Gun Salute by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard under the direction of Lieutenant Randall Gravett. The Memorial Day ceremony was concluded with the playing of taps by a member of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department.
American Legion Post 111 and the Paulding County Veterans Memorial Committee send their sincerest thanks to everyone who, despite the weather, participated in or attended the 2018 Paulding County Memorial Day ceremony to honor our fallen service members.

Picture 1: Paulding County Veteran's Memorial Monument, Picture 2: Paulding County Sheriff and Fire Department Honor Guard, Picture 3: Stevan H. Crew, Memorial Day 2018 Keynote Speaker