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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A story is a story is a story even if it is written
for the local newspaper and this tree's branches hasn't been swaying in the
breeze much, so here's the latest news from my town.</FONT></DIV>
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<P align=center>Community Support Strong In Mansfield</P></FONT>
<P align=center>By Sheri L. Baity</P>
<P>Rain may have cancelled the parade, but the spirit still shined in Mansfield
on Memorial Day. Thomas Wierbowski, Mansfield‘s mayor, announced to a
disappointed crowd the change in plans, because of weather, but added that there
will still be the ceremony at Prospect Street Cemetery, as planned. This was too
important of a day to not remember the men and women that have served our great
country, in one form or another.</P>
<P>The roar of the engines brought in another group of people that were there to
see the start of the parade before they advanced to Lance’s Harley Davidson for
a benefit run for the Endless Mountains Evergreen Halfway House for Adolescents
in Canton. With veterans amongst the group and ones who served in the armed
services, they carry a special message to all who are fortunate enough to speak
with them.</P>
<P>“Some of us work for the pentagon, some guys are disabled, I’m a charge nurse
for Frederick, Maryland. The common bond of this whole thing is, we all like
motorcycles and we all want to develop clean and sober friends because it’s a
better life style. It’s kind of funny how this whole biker thing has evolved for
all of us, because we wind up doing almost the opposite of the public image,”
Que stated, member of A.R.M. (Association of Recovering Motorcyclists).</P>
<P>“We are international, and have chapters all over the united states, Canada,
Sweden and Norway since 1986 and it is all AA (alcohol anonymous) based. We do a
lot of contributions to children,” Que added. As they made their way out of town
with flags flapping in the wind, the group that turned out in spite of the rain,
made their way to the cemetery.</P>
<P>Greetings with flag hand-outs, were the children of Cheryl DeWalt, Vice
President of the Mansfield Ladies Auxiliary Post 6757. “We give the children
flags every year so that they can remember the veterans. We have been doing this
way back, but I have been doing this for two years now. We place bouquet of
flowers by the monument both here and in Covington to honor the women who have
died for our country,” Cheryl said.</P>
<P>Ted Clark who served in the United States Army during Vietnam, placed the
wreath at the memorial honoring the men. With a quick snap salute, he went back
to stand in formation. Also in line were John Kingsley, US Navy during the Iran
Hostage Crisis, Jack Moran, Vietnam era and Richard Wilson, commander for the
VFW. Mayor Wierbowski, lead all in the Pledge To The Allegiance and singing of
the National Anthem.</P>
<P>The most fitting tribute to our men and women, was when the Mayor read “In
Flanders Fields,” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. (1872-1918),
while serving in the Canadian Army. There is much information regarding the
story behind this piece on the web by doing a search on Flanders Field. For
those who do not have access, the story goes as follows:</P><I>
<P>Nineteen fifteen, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote this poem, overlooking a field
of red poppies while stationed in Flanders, Belgium during World War I. While
staring at the simple wooden cross atop Lieut. Alexis Helmer’s grave, McCrae’s
friend and former student, he composed a 15 line verse in 20 minutes capturing
that very moment that would go on to become the most memorable war poem ever
written. The wild red poppies which sprang up in ditches, danced in the eastern
breeze, as he wrote:</P>
<P>In Flanders Fields the poppies blow</P>
<P>Between the crosses, row on row,</P>
<P>That mark our place, and in the sky</P>
<P>The larks, still bravely singing, fly</P>
<P>Scarce heard amid the guns below.</P>
<P>We are the Dead. Short days ago</P>
<P>We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,</P>
<P>Loved and were loved, and now we lie</P>
<P>In Flanders fields.</P>
<P>Take up our quarrel with the foe:</P>
<P>To you from failing hands we throw</P>
<P>The torch; be yours to hold it high.</P>
<P>If ye break faith with us who die</P>
<P>We shall not sleep, though poppies grow</P>
<P>In Flanders fields.</P>
<P>After McCrae wrote this, he was not satisfied and threw it to the ground. A
young soldier, Sergeant Major Cyril Allinson, who watched him write it, picked
it up and submitted it to several newspapers until the Punch published it on
December 8, 1915.</P>
<P>Thus brings to surface the millions of tiny red poppies, as mentioned in
McCrae’s poem, handed out by the veterans around the world, to remember and
honor the ones who have died in wars. From the veterans to us, it is a living
tribute and promise of not forgetting the men and women all over who fight for
our country so that we might live free.</P></I>
<P>June Rudy of Mansfield, spoke with strong feelings. “We need to be here. This
is a very caring community, and when anybody is involved, everybody is involved.
I’m here for them,” she said pointing to John and Claire Heaps, also of
Mansfield.</P>
<P>“We have a grand daughter over seas fighting, so it has a special meaning to
us this year. We’ve been coming to this for 50 years,” said John Heaps. </P>
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