With the predictions of continued heavy rains and storms, the city of White Hall decided to move its annual Memorial Day Ceremony inside. Instead of holding the event under the cover of a large tent at the White Hall Museum grounds on Monday at 10 a.m., it was moved to the James “Jitters” Morgan Community Center on Dollarway Road.
About 100 attended, including two Gold Star Families who traveled from out-of-state to participate in or be recognized as part of the event.
White Hall Council Member David Beck welcomed Monday’s guests.
In addition to the posting and retirement of the Colors by the White Hall High School ROTC, Glen Minor, commander of the American Legion Post in White Hall, laid the Memorial Wreath, and the Pine Bluff Community Band played.
Minor read the names of veterans honored Monday, while Dee Kindrick rang a bell with the reading of each name.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
April Drye Brandon Watts, a Gold Star Family recipient and widow of SSG Stacey C. Brandon, was a guest speaker.
Stacey Brandon was part of the 39th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, and was killed in combat on April 24, 2004.
Watts, formerly of White Hall but now living in Southeast Arkansas, reminded the audience that the day isn’t about time off from work or barbecues, but a day to remember those killed or missing in action.
“Many don’t understand the holiday,” Watts said, adding, “Many (families) spend their entire lives in a state of memorial day,” after the loss of a loved one.
Instead of greeting veterans with “Happy Memorial Day,” Watt suggested saying, “Have a blessed day” or maybe, “Thank you for your service.”
The Gold Star Family of George Seibert — Leah Griffin, Seibert’s wife, and their daughters, Kaydence Griffin and Ayla Griffin, and Landon Murrell, a family friend — drove eight hours from Huntsville, Mo., to attend the ceremony. Leah Griffin, also a veteran, is the daughter of Jo and Jim McDonald of White Hall.
Seibert was a combat medic in the U.S. Army Reserves, who served three tours, including Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Hurricane Katrina. He died as a result of a military service-related injury in Feb. 14, 2014.
Leah Griffin said about the service, “It was perfect.”
Col. Nate Todd, retired U.S. Army, was the guest speaker and said that Memorial Day was about honoring those who lost their lives in combat.
As he wrapped up his speech, saying, “For Gold Star Families, it required the ultimate sacrifice,” he received a standing ovation.
