May 31, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
A prayer, passages, songs of patriotism, and the placement of a wreath marked a Memorial Day observance Monday morning outside the courthouse near the Veterans Memorial Monument.
Members of the community chorus gathered for a few flag waving songs followed by a prayer from local minister Larry Green.
Jan Thomas then read fitting passages for the occasion including “The American’s Creed” by William Tyler Page of Maryland.
“On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States of America,” said Thomas. “ Their patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and immeasurable contributions to our nation will never be forgotten. Today we honor, we remember, and we celebrate,” she said.
“In 1917, William Tyler Page of Maryland won a nationwide contest for “the best summary of American political faith.” The U.S. House of Representatives accepted the statement as the American’s Creed on April 3, 1918. It’s two paragraphs remind us that responsibilities are the source of rights. It deserves to be read and recited. Today very few people have even ever heard of it,” said Thomas.
“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies,” said Thomas in reading from the American’s Creed.
The program closed with the Pledge of Alliance and “Taps”