CLALFIN — On a windy Memorial Day, Claflin residents and former Claflin residents were present at the Claflin Cemetery to commemorate those who died in military service and, in a separate ceremony, the beginning of the Claflin Ambulance Service.
Red Meier, VFW 8668 member, and former ambulance service volunteer, opened the ceremony to commemorate those who answered the call to duty.
Barton County Commissioner and Vietnam veteran Don Cates spoke at the service.
"Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love the Lord and to love your neighbor," Cates said. "He also said, 'Greater love has on one than to lay down his life for his friends.'
"Those we honor today have made that ultimate sacrifice to help ensure the rights and the freedom we enjoy in America," he said. "Many veterans have placed themselves in situations for our nation which could have cost their lives. It just happens their lives were not taken."
He continued, "What I’m wanting to express kind of goes along with the old saying respect your elders. To your young people I would say, 'be careful how you think of older people you see in everyday life.'"
Cates described his Grandpa, Andrew Gower, who had served in World War I. His left eye was damaged from a poisonous gas attack in the war. "His eye looked funny," said Cates. "(We) kids should have thought of that as a badge of honor.
"Maybe you’ve seen an older farmer out on his tractor working a field on his farm and thought that old man sure hasn’t had a very exciting life," said Cates. "That old man driving a tractor could have been someone like Albert Tinkle who farmed out north of town. As it happens, he was a tank driver in World War II and was involved in many tank battles including one in which over 20 American tanks went into battle. His was the only one which survived."
Cates described other local veterans who had served heroically and lived ordinary lives after they returned.
"So to your young people I say, remember this whenever you are speaking to an older person," he said. "You may well be talking to a real hero and never know it. You won’t hear them bragging about their experiences. Chances are they will rarely even talk about it unless asked to by someone who they feel is sincerely interested.
"Now to us older people," Cates said, "I think those we are honoring today would like me to mention how we, many times, don’t give the younger generations the credit they deserve.
"I’m here to tell you our young people in the armed forces today, including the Guard and Reserve component, are the best ever. They make up, by far, the most powerful and effective military force the world has ever known."
He also thanked the Women’s Auxiliary for their faithfulness year after year. Wreaths were laid, and Claflin area residents who died in service were named.
The crowd was led in the song, "God Bless America."
After closing, a special service was held to remember the beginning of the Claflin Ambulance Service which was begun 50 years ago after the death of a local boy in an accident.
