Addressing a capacity crowd during Monday’s Memorial Day Service at the Veterans Memorial Museum, Major Marty Fields of the Air National Guard encouraged those in attendance to never take for granted the sacrifices of those serving or who have served in the military.
“And please, never forget those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me to enjoy the freedoms that we have today,” said Fields, chaplain in the Mississippi Air National Guard. “When you are there to see it directly, it will change your lives forever. It has changed mine.”
Fields returned to Laurel two weeks after a 70-day deployment to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. There Fields worked with the 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF), which transported patients from Germany to hospitals in the United States. He said his team transported more than 500 patients in 60 days.
“The experience was unlike anything I have ever done,” explained Fields. “I will never forget looking at some of them and wondering if they had any idea what they were getting into.
“Some of them signed up for the G.I. Bill,” he continued. “They wanted to go to college and because of the economy, this was their way of going. Their lives were changed forever, that is if they survived.”
Fields said that in the military there is a saying that there are no atheists in a foxhole. From what he experienced, Fields said the atheism surfacing when people are wounded or when they are dying.
“There was never resentment for their service,” said Fields. “They were angry at the enemy.”
In fact, Fields said although there were some who had some serious injuries, they still wanted to serve their country. They asked questions like, “Do you think I will still be able to go back? Do you think I will be able to wear my uniform? Will I still be able to serve?”
The hard work and dedication of those who serve in the military is something that should be appreciated by all and not taken lightly, proclaimed Fields. It upsets him to hear how disrespectful some people are when discussing the current war.
“When I hear people talk about the war like it’s some sports game, it really bothers me,” said Fields. “They say things like, ‘How well is our team doing? How many of them did we get today?
“I ask you to never think of the war in that way,” added Fields. “I hope you pray that this war and all wars will end and that you will support and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our safety.”
District Three Constable Mack Tucker said it is good to have a day set aside to honor the country’s soldiers. “We appreciate their willingness to go and fight so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have in this country,” he said. “We forget about the sacrifices so many have made for us.
“There is a war going on now and our soldiers are still dying,” he added. “We need to pray for them daily and ask for their safe return home.”
Moderator Vic Lee also encouraged those attendance to pray for the service men and women, as well as their families. He also asked people to spread the word about the museum and what it has to offer the community.
“We are here because of you,” he said. “We thank you for your continued support.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
-
-
Remembering those who served and are serving
- Local News
-
-
Get ready for control burns in the area
Area motorists and residents may notice a lot of smoke coming from some of the county’s heavily wooded areas in the coming weeks.
-
Officials pleased with Chancellor’s appointment
At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Lance Chancellor became the new executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Heidelberg has a new police chief
A longtime Jasper Countian has been named the head law enforcement official in this Jasper County town.
Huey Powe is now the Police Chief for the Town of Heidelberg. -
Annual Rotary Club Spaghetti dinner Saturday
The Laurel Rotary Club will conduct its annual Spaghetti dinner this weekend at the YWCO.
-
American Red Cross looking for local volunteers
The East Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for a few good men, women, boys and girls to join its team of disaster volunteers.
-
Officials put a name with scammer
Jones County officials have now released the name of a man they are seeking in connection with a recent fire scam in the area.
-
Family barely escapes mobile home fire
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a family of five was awaken by the smell of smoke quickly filling their 28 x 70 doublewide mobile home located at 39 Ellisville Junction Road in Jones County.
-
Farewell and Hello
Well-wishers from near and far gathered in Laurel to say farewell to longtime Jones County Emergency Management Executive Director Don McKinnon, while his replacement — a familiar face among emergency officials — was welcomed earlier in the day Tuesday.
-
Cobb’s bond set at $250K
A $250,000 cash bond has been set for a 19-year-old Jones County man jailed at the Jones County Adult Detention Center in connection with a vicious attack on a woman in the Sharon Community.
-
Laurel man has given over 33 gallons of blood
Local residents gave blood Tuesday at Laurel City Hall as a part of the City of Laurel’s blood drive.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
