Rutherford Weekly

Call or drop by anytime Licensed & certifi ed Licensed & certifi ed nationally recognized nationally recognized award-winning member award-winning member of the US Black Belt Schools of the US Black Belt Schools © Since 1976 Since 1976 140 W. Main St. Forest City 828-245-5792 † "IT IS EASIER TO BUILD BOYS AND GIRLS "IT IS EASIER TO BUILD BOYS AND GIRLS THAN TO MEND MEN AND WOMEN." THAN TO MEND MEN AND WOMEN." KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE in the mind, in the mind, HONESTY HONESTY in the heart, in the heart, STRENGTH STRENGTH in the body. in the body. $ 39 39 95 95 1st Week & 1st Week & Uniform Uniform Independent studies show that martial arts improves mental focus, increases attention span, and makes children respect parents, teachers, law and order. Classes for Classes for 5 years to adult 5 years to adult BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL OUR 25 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 37 • SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 PRAY FOR ALL HURRICANE VICTIMS! PRAY FOR ALL HURRICANE VICTIMS! 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 ©Community First Media Community First Media Made in America glass Local artwork, glass & more Vaping Supplies Vaping Supplies Skateboards Skateboards Mon-Tues 11am-6pm Extended Hours Wed-Sat 11am-7pm NEW SKATEBOARD SHIPMENT Complimentary Complimentary Article By: Cathy Alexander, Rutherford Weekly Article By: Cathy Alexander, Rutherford Weekly They may not even know the deceased. It doesn't matter. All they know is that he or she served honorably. They're a veteran, and that is all that matters. So they come to do the 'right thing'. Somberly, they erect a symbolic battle field cross which is made up with a soldier's rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags. Twelve American Flags, representing the 12 folds of the flag, are the backdrop for the gun detail who will fire the 21-gun salute. They represent all branches of the military, each in their own perfectly pressed uniforms, but that doesn't matter either, they are all there to pay their respects to the fallen. "Present Arms," calls the Commander as the flag draped coffin is brought forward with the saddened family in tow. He reads, Among the Rest, Who Gave Their Among the Rest, Who Gave Their Best. The silence is broken by the rapid The silence is broken by the rapid firing of the rifles. Seven men fire three shots. The bugler plays taps. shots. The bugler plays taps. Carefully and methodically, they fold the Carefully and methodically, they fold the flag and insert three spent shells into it's flag and insert three spent shells into it's folds. "These shells represent Honor, Duty, folds. "These shells represent Honor, Duty, and Country," he tells the family. "On behalf and Country," he tells the family. "On behalf of the President of the United States, The of the President of the United States, The United States Navy, and a grateful nation, United States Navy, and a grateful nation, it is my honor to present this flag to you it is my honor to present this flag to you in memory of your loved one's service to in memory of your loved one's service to God and Country." He kneels to place the God and Country." He kneels to place the flag in the hands of the family and when flag in the hands of the family and when he rises he salutes them and returns to he rises he salutes them and returns to the casket to salute, for the last time, the the casket to salute, for the last time, the soldier within. soldier within. Who are these men? They are the Who are these men? They are the Honor Guard. They perform military funeral Honor Guard. They perform military funeral honors, on behalf of a grateful nation, to honors, on behalf of a grateful nation, to show the nation's deepest gratitude to those show the nation's deepest gratitude to those who have faithfully defended our country. who have faithfully defended our country. It is a ceremonial paying of respect, the It is a ceremonial paying of respect, the final demonstration a grateful nation can final demonstration a grateful nation can provide to a veteran's grieving family. They provide to a veteran's grieving family. They don't do it for money. In fact, they donate don't do it for money. In fact, they donate their time. They don't do it for recognition. their time. They don't do it for recognition. In fact, they don't want attention at all. In fact, they don't want attention at all. They do it because it's the 'right thing' They do it because it's the 'right thing' to do. With precision, compassion, and to do. With precision, compassion, and respect, they come from all around the respect, they come from all around the county to acknowledge the passing of their county to acknowledge the passing of their brothers and sisters in uniform. In the 13 brothers and sisters in uniform. In the 13 years since they started, they have done years since they started, they have done this almost 1,600 times. They've even laid this almost 1,600 times. They've even laid to rest 13 of their own. to rest 13 of their own. They also need help. They need more They also need help. They need more members to meet the growing number members to meet the growing number of requests and they need donations of requests and they need donations to maintain the equipment necessary to maintain the equipment necessary to provide these services. They once to provide these services. They once performed military honors for three performed military honors for three veterans in one day. "No family has ever veterans in one day. "No family has ever paid for the service and no family should paid for the service and no family should ever be denied," they say. ever be denied," they say. For more information about the Honor For more information about the Honor Guard or to make donations, please Guard or to make donations, please contact Peter McCann at 828-245-6970 contact Peter McCann at 828-245-6970 or or 828-289-5356. 828-289-5356. Honorable Men Doing an Honorable Deed Honor Guard 2017 Seen here are several of the current members of the Honor Guard pausing for a quick photo just prior to a recent service. The complete roster of active members is listed below. The founding members are Peter McCann, Douglas Hayes, June Callahan and Billy Seay. Current membership includes (alphabetically) Kevin Beaver, Arnold Brown, Don Geraghty, Phillip Godfrey, Bill Greene, Chivas Hawkins, Rupert Hodge, Joel Hoyle, Jerry Jones, Larry Lawing, Gary Melton, Tommy Odell, James Petty, Jerry Toney, Charles Vassey, Steve Wallace, Bruce Webber, and Harold Wilson. "As they lower me into my grave, let not a tear be shed, I served to keep my country free, And now my Lord I'm going to see, For just my body's dead. As they fold the fl ag and fi re the shots, let no emotion show, Stand fi rm and brave, Beside my grave, And listen as the bugle blows. Weep not for me as you walk away, turn not for one last look, As the haunting strain Of 'Taps' remain, Press a kiss upon your Holy Book. The spades will softly turn the soil, as I wing away with God, The diggers will refi ll the pit, 'Til signs of death retract from it, And they replace the torn sod. As years go by and memories fade, my stone shall stand erect, Among the rest, Who gave their best, Our Freedom to Protect." - Among the Rest Who Gave Their Best, author unknown - Among the Rest Who Gave Their Best, author unknown

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