Lamb County Memorial Committee Honors Lamb County Veterans

Image
  • PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS by the Lamb County 4-H Club at the Lamb County Veterans Memorial Day Service on Sunday, Nov. 7. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS by the Lamb County 4-H Club at the Lamb County Veterans Memorial Day Service on Sunday, Nov. 7. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • ATTENDEES of the Lamb County Veterans Memorial Service that has held on Sunday, Nov. 7, stand for the National Anthem. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    ATTENDEES of the Lamb County Veterans Memorial Service that has held on Sunday, Nov. 7, stand for the National Anthem. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
Body

The Lamb County Memorial Committee held their annual Veterans Day Service on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. The Lamb County Memorial Committee conducts this event to usher in the Veterans’ Day activities each year.

Veterans’ Day was originally known as Armistice Day. It was established to mark the end of World War I which ended at the 11 th hour, of the 11 th day of the 11 th month in the year 1918. In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veteran’s Day to honor all veterans who served in war and peace time.

The event began with a free lunch for Veterans at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Veteran Robert Nichols, volunteered to provide the lunch of brisket with all the trimmings free to veterans. Guests and family members were given the opportunity to donate to the committee’s work. Shaylee Harper and members of the 4-H Club served desserts during the meal.

Following the meal the service began at the Lamb County Memorial at 3 p.m.

Kim Billingsley welcomed the attendees as master of ceremonies and began the service with a moment of silence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great nation.

Billingsley is a proud Army Nurse Corp Veteran. She shared a passage that defined a veteran. “A ‘Veteran’ whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for an amount of “up to, and including his life.” That is honor. And there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact. She stated to those present, “I am deeply honored today as we celebrate you, our United States Veterans. You are all heroes and I for one am honored to stand before you today as we as a community say ‘Thank you for your sacrifice, your service, and your love of country’.

The guest speaker for the event, Johnny Rosemond, asked all present to stand and led the invocation. Following the Invocation, JT and Jayden Burt of the Littlefield 4-H presented the Nation’s Colors followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Rosemond then gave a brief speech on the values of service, of love for country, and our fellow man. Rosemond reminded those present to “trust that God is aware of what is happening in today’s world.” He emphasized the bond among service members and suggested “would that all had such a bond” as an example of what God would have us do for ourselves and for our communities.

Billingsley then shared some details of the Lamb County Veterans Memorial. The Lamb County Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 11, 2007. The memorial consists of monoliths, pavers, and benches. The monoliths bear the names of over 4,300 veterans that have entered service from Lamb County. They are listed under the heading of the time they entered service: WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Peace Time.

Billinsley also pointed out that space is available for additional names of veterans and that Clay Carr of First United Bank of Sudan, has offered to arrange funding for engraving additional names.

The service concluded with the playing of the song of each branch of service and attendees were asked to rise at the playing of their branches of service.

Billingsley acknowledged all who contributed to the service. Jimmy Garcia set up and provided the music, JT and Jayden Burt of the Littlefield 4-H raised the Colors on the flag poles and posted the Colors before the service, Johnny Rosemond for his message, Shaylee Harper and the local 4-H members provided help with seating and desserts for the meal, Hillcrest Funeral Home provided the paper goods for the lunch and the microphone and speaker for the service. Marshall and Kaye King were acknowledged for the upkeep of the grounds, Robert Nichols was acknowledged for his desire to feed the veterans and seeing it through to fruition.

She also offered special recognition to the remaining original members of the Lamb County Veterans Memorial committee Charlie Meier, and Rodger, and Linda Thompson.

Rodger and Linda Thompson have provided all the decorations on the fences and the wreath since the memorial was dedicated. They will be retiring from the service this year.

Mrs. Billingsley concluded the service by announcing the upcoming assembly that will be held to honor Veterans at the Littlefield High School Gym on Thursday, Nov. 11th at 11 a.m.