Memorial Day 2007
"The fallen are still with us"
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer

The Marine Corps League presented a wreath in honor of veterans in a silent salute during this year s Memorial Day services.

"Memorial Day 2007 is not a day for sorrow, but a day to reflect," Veteran Jack Lang said, his words reaching one of the largest crowds to turn out to Murphy's Memorial Park on May 28th.

Veterans, many carrying large flags and military weapons, lined both sides of the Memorial Park in downtown Murphy for the day of rememberence. Murphy police had blocked off the square in order to accomodate the impressive gathering of attendees.

The event was led by Veteran and Master of Ceremonies Oscar Valdes who introduced Mayor Bill Hughes for the day's first remarks.

"To say 'thank you' sounds very inadequate," admitted Mayor Hughes from the podium in front of the stone memorial.

"But this day is a particular time to pause and remember, to honor and respect," Mayor Hughes said.

Jack Lang, of Murphy, served as guest speaker for the afternoon as he discussed his experiences and reflections as a World War II Veteran. He invoked many cheers and applause from the audience during his closing words.

Mayor Bill Hughes opens with remarks about veterans and his appreciation to protectors of freedom in front of the local memorial.

""We are charged with a most serious responsibility to the most glorious cause of freedom," Lang said, "And the task still lies unfinished."

Other members of the community volunteered their voices in appreciation, but none brought together the crowd in a rendition of "God Bless America" like Colton Mathews.

Mathews, a Murphy High senior, sang twice, the second time followed by a haunting trumpet solo by Navy Veteran Roscoe Hall.

The event took time to recognize and honor the mothers of fallen soldiers. The Gold Star Mothers Opal Graves, Kathryn Jones, and Jane Wilson lost

sons in the Vietnam War while Ora Lee Hayes' son was killed in Iraq. The ladies were presented with flower corsages by the veterans.

The Veterans of Foreign War Women's Auxillary and Marine Crops League gave their salute to the dead with a display of wreaths in front of the Murphy Memorial.

Roscoe Hall played many musical selections during the Memorial on May 8th, including TAPS, during the flag ceremony.

The program culminated with the thunderous fire of 21 guns by the Burial Detail at the end of what was to date, the most well recieved and memorable of Memorial Days.

Veterans, including Master of Ceremonies Oscar Valdes, salute the raising of the POW and American flag in downtown Murphy. Keynote speaker and World War II Veteran Jack Lang made an impressionable and powerful speech about the meaning of freedom, the cost of it, and the rememberence of it. Colton Mathews, Murphy High senior, sang God Bless America and the National Anthem as many in the crowd sang along in unison.