On Sunday June 5, Manning Chapel UMC in Latta, celebrated Memorial Day with a special Memorial Day Celebration. The main focus of the service was that God would be Glorified and the Veteran’s honored for their service to this country.
Special guests were The Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 Group of North Myrtle Beach. Rolling Thunder is a non-profit organization, it’s major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue, to educate the public in the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To help correct the past and to protect the future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War/Missing In Action. Rolling Thunder is committed to helping American Veterans from All Wars. The Group was presented a ” We Will Never Forget” clock for all their support to our Veteran’s and their families. The group also performed the “Missing Man Table” which represented every branch of service and those who will never return home.
Otis Ford, Chaplain of the Great Pee Dee Devil Dogs Detachment 1219 of the Marine Corps League in Bennettsville was present to represent his group. He was the oldest Veteran present and was presented a “Once a Marine Always a Marine” clock for his support as Chaplain of the Marine Corps League. Manning Chapel UMC and the Marine Corps League work together at Christmas to collect toys for the children of Marlboro County.
1st Sgt. Swift along with Marlboro County High School JROTC were present to present the Light of Christ, The Bible, The Christian Flag, and The Colors. The JROTC Cadets also greeted each guest and gave each person a bracelet that read ” United We Stand” in Red, White and Blue colors. The JROTC cadets then escorted our special guests into the sanctuary as the service started. 1st Sgt. Swift was presented a green lounge chair to relax in when he is not traveling and training his Cadets. The MCHS JROTC left after the services for one week of summer training at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
Retired SFC Charles Lemon was the Honored Guest Speaker and gave his testimony of how God brought him through the difficult time of his brother’s death. His brother Jerome Lemon was killed in a roadside bombing October of 2004 in Iraq. Charles shared vivid details of how he and his brother would talk everyday after they both found out they were to be deployed for a year in Iraq. He shared his brother’s last visit home before he returned to Iraq and also the last email he received before he went out on patrol one last time. Charles shared that “It is men like Jerome Lemon that has allowed you and me to have the Freedom that we have today! It is men like Jerome Lemon that we have a Memorial Day! We are here today to honor men and women like my brother who gave everything including his life so that we may have the freedom to do what we want to here in America!” It was a very emotional testimony and all were deeply moved my such a heartfelt testimony.
Charles is also with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department in Bennettsville and is very dedicated to serving his community. He was presented a black and white matted print of a “Fallen Soldier’s Flag” in memory and in honor of his brother Jerome Lemon who died for his country. Charles along with Mr. Otis Ford placed flowers on the Memorial Table while “Taps” was being performed by Ron Christopher Skipper of Laurinburg.
Special music was performed by Jimmy “Bo” Poston of Blenheim who sang “A Soldier Died Today” and “God Bless The USA!” Amanda M. Graham of Bennettsville performed the “Star Spangle Banner.” A special reading of former President’s were read by Janice M. Webster of Blenheim and Ann Townsend of Latta. Everyone was invited to enjoy a delicious meal in the fellowship hall after the benediction was given. Many went back inside the church after the meal to view the tables which held all the Military Memorabilia from local Veteran’s and their families. A great time was had by all.