Memorial Day a reminder that freedom is a responsibility

World War II veteran Gerald Beavers was happy to serve in the Air Force to help keep his country free.

The lifelong resident of Henry County was the only World War II veteran present at the Memorial Day Observance at Mt. Pleasant Community High School on Monday, May 27. Beavers enlisted in December 1942 and served in the Air Force for three years.

'(Younger generations) should help everyone do what's right, and when it's time to serve, serve and do it well,” Beavers said following the Observance.

The Memorial Day observance was a time for residents of Henry County to pause and remember the sacrifices made for freedom.

Steve English, pastor of First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, gave an opening prayer and closing benediction during the observance. English said that on such a solemn day, he is reminded that life is beautiful and there is great value in living, making Memorial Day an even more important celebration to remember those who gave their lives for their country.

'We understand the preciousness of the gift of life and honor those veterans with our praise, times of silence, reflection and prayer,” English said. 'Let us never neglect this day as we have many people in attendance who were family members of those we lost. Let us not forget they still grieve every day for the loss of dreams and potential so others could dream in this country.”

Steve Titus, veteran and president of Iowa Wesleyan University, said that Memorial Day is a day where communities come together to pause to remember, grieve and give thanks to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedom of Americans and Iowans.

During his keynote address, Titus said it is an extreme and humbling honor to gather together on Memorial Day.

'We are able to be here today largely thanks to those who are not,” Titus said. 'Memorial Day is an opportunity to reconnect to the abundant freedoms and privileges that this nation enjoys - that you and I enjoy. Our way of life has been shaped and made possible by those who have served and by those who have been lost and who have fallen.”

As a university president, Titus said higher education exists first and foremost to develop wise citizens who can make good decisions at all levels of civic life. Titus said the liberal arts are not about a political agenda, but about the liberation of a person's mind and heart to create a thriving and free community and a nation free from tyranny.

'Freedom is hard work and freedom is responsibility,” Titus said. 'The fight for freedom has cost more than 1 million American lives and torn apart families.”

The U.S. has been at war for much of Titus' adult life, he said. This has resulted in more deployments more often by more Americans putting themselves in harm's way and stressing families, he said.

'While we are grateful for the service and sacrifice, we mourn those who we love and whose lives have been lost in the name of freedom,” Titus said.

During the observance, the men whose names were added to the Henry County Veteran's Memorial on the lawn of the Henry County Courthouse were recognized. The names are as follows: Robert Eugene O'Connor, Dale Robert Willis; Jay F. Bussert, W. Harold Upton, Earl H. Mabeus, Robert G. Shaffer, James B. Snodgrass, Lyle Vernon Swan, Kenneth L. Gillispie, and John L. Voyles.

Names submitted by April 1 are engraved and recognized on Memorial Day and names submitted by Sept. 1 are engraved and recognized on Veterans Day.

A wreath was also presented on behalf of Avenue of the Flags in honor of veterans who have fallen.