Young, old gather to honor war dead

There was cloudy, windy weather, and it was threatening to rain, but that mattered little to the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts at the Memorial Day services at the Hill County Courthouse Monday.

Even before the services began, they practiced their march around the courthouse grounds, practicing and getting ready to raise the flag.

The ceremonies were a mix of generations.

The young Scouts, excited that to be taking part in the services, stood alongside old veterans. Some of the vets had served in World War II and had to be helped by their children and grandchildren. They were all there for the same purpose - to honor those who died in service of their country.

The service was similar to the ones that Havre veterans groups have held for years.

Dena Rubio sang the national anthem, veterans led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, Bill Bilger of the Veterans of Foreign Wars read the names of veterans who have died during the past year and the honor guard offered a volley for the deceased.

On the sidelines, women handed out poppies for people to wear as their sign of respect for the military.

One by one, different veterans groups came forward with wreaths that were laid in honor of those who died. As they walked down the flag-draped courthouse sidewalk, the brisk wind blew the flags into their faces.

After the ceremonies, people adjourned to the Elks Club, where services continued before a lunch was served.

Bob Nieuwenhuyse of the Elks Club spoke about those who had served in the military over the nation's history.

The work that began at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill continued during World War I, World War 2, Korea and continues today in the Mideast, he said.

"We give our heartfelt thanks to those who have served and are serving today," he said, as he asked people in the audience to stand if they had ever served in the military.

Nearly half the crowd stood, and the rest joined in applause.

"Look around and see these brave faces," Nieuwenhuyse said, praising the people for helping with "the preservation and defense of our nation's liberty."

Carol Johnson of the American Legion Auxiliary displayed the POW/MIA table, which included a place setting for a military person who was missing in action.

The table was designed, she said, "to remind us that we should never forget."

Many military people are missing but not confirmed dead, she said. "Many may still be enduring the pain and agony of imprisonment."

The POW/MIA table had many symbolisms, she said.

The table was small because the prisoner was confined, the table cloth was white to symbolize the purity of the prisoner's intentions and there was a slice of lemon on the empty plate as a symbol of the bitterness the prisoner must feel.