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That was the traditional playing of Taps by bugler Don Shepard to wrap up the rescheduled Memorial Day ceremony Saturday at the Mountain Home Plaza 2000. White River Baptist Associational Missionary Director Stace Couples was the keynote speaker for the ceremony postponed from the usual final Monday in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Couples says the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the fireworks, but it’s also a time to celebrate our independence and to honor the veterans that have fought to protect the nation. He recognized Vernon Olson, Dean Boyer, Darrell Knaus and Jack Barnes, four veterans of World War II residing at Good Samaritan Society. Couples says when he interviewed these veterans, he felt intimidated knowing they were going to discuss issues he did not fully understand.
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Couples says he was among the generations seeing reruns of “M*A*S*H” and “Hogan’s Heroes” and movies like “Saving Private Ryan,” but the attacks on New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, changed everything. He adds after interviewing the local veterans, his perspective also changed.
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Couples says as the interview continued, he asked the four men if they believed patriotism is different from what it was nearly seven decades ago, and he was shocked by their answer.
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In addition to the Memorial Day ceremony, the event was used for recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Mountain Home Plaza 2000. The ceremony was hosted by the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 251.
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