Heroes remembered at Memorial Day event

The American Legion color guard stands ready for the ceremonies to begin.

A large crowd of more than 300 people, plus 200 uniformed volunteers from the airbase in formation, stood solemnly under overcast skies Monday to honor those men and women of the armed forces who have fallen in battle defending America and its freedoms.

"May the ceremonies of today deepen your reverence for our departed comrades," said Rich McManus, American Legion Post No. 26 commander, in his remarks opening the half-hour ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home.

Chaplain James Blanton offered an emotional opening prayer, describing a classmate and close friend who fell in battle. "For our senior class trip, we went to Vietnam. I came home. He didn't. I think of him every time I come out here."

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