Beech Tree News Network

Community members gathered in the courthouse yard on Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day - to remember and honor all those who gave their life in military service to the county. 

The General Richard Butler Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution hosted the annual Memorial Day service.

Donnie Webster welcomed those in attendance and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Maggie Childers performed the National Anthem. Roger Southerland gave the invocation.

David Hocker, pastor of Morgantown Cumberland Presbyterian Church, spoke briefly and shared a message about the price of our freedom and what that means in the United States. 

Lynda O'Driscoll, regent of the Butler County Chapter KSDAR, shared a poem about the meaning of Memorial Day. 

Melanie Hunt, regent of the Green River Chapter KSDAR, read the names of those from Butler County who lost their lives in service to our country.

Below is a listing of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of a grateful nation:  

CIVIL WAR

Hardin P. Stahl

SPANISH AMERICAN

Crit Kessinger 

WORLD WAR I

Emet Bingham

James O. Brown

Emary C. Cohron

French D. Hinant 

John W. Howerton

Calvin C. Mastin

Avis Porter

Talmadge Ragland

Clarence Shepherd 

Edward D. Shepherd 

Lonnie Swift 

WORLD WAR II

William H. Andrews 

Hugh W. Belcher

Lloyd P. Beliles 

Otis E. H. Beliles

Albin Blumer

Rauden Blunk

J. C. Brooks

Willie L. Brooks

Sanford R. Brown

Walter S.Campfield

Ira Cardwell

Preston Cardwell 

Joseph R Chapman

Calvin C. Christie

Hayden Combs

Albon J. Drake

Johnnie Elmore

James E. Embry

Robert E. Gidcumb Jr

William Gidcumb

Shelby Givens

William C. Greene, Jr

Thomas W. Hayes

James E. Holder

Wellington S. Humphrey

Arthur Johnson

Clayton Kessinger

James E. Kinkade

James E. Kirby

Claude W. Lee

Virgil Leslie

Harvey L. Levan

Robert E. Martin

Clarence R. Massey

Thomas Mayes

Leo F. Mefford 

Rollie F. Moore

Curtis T. McCoy

Keith E. McKinney

Leroy McPherson

Edward Lee Odle

Thurman Peay 

Vernon M. Pendley

Brady C. Phelps

Noatley T. Proctor

Fillmore Smith

Glenn Thompson

Clay Tuck

Audis Turner 

KOREA

Shelby Embry

Charles Flener

J.P. Hatcher

Richard Ellis Hines

Harry Phelps

VIETNAM

Billy L. Coleman

Roy L. Felty

William E. Hocker

Jerry W. Shain

Jimmy L. Sherrill

IRAQI FREEDOM

 Michael Hayes     

The Butler County Piece Makers also presented eight Quilts of Valor to veterans bringing their total to 205 quilts.Receiving quilts were:

Andrew Stalling

Gordon McKee

Don Sullivan

Rick Scott

Frank Burden

Junior Plumley

Randy Woodcock

Caden Cardwell

O'Driscoll, Hunt, and Webster did the “Laying of the Wreath,” followed by the playing of taps by Doug Odle.  

Deb Duncan of Green River Chapter of the KSDAR, gave the benediction. Cub Scout Pack 208 assisted at the event.