Thurmont Lions Club “We Support Our Troops”
October 25, 2009
“We Support Our Troops” Honor Three Heroes by Richard Little
Approximately two hundred people were in attendance at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Thurmont, on Saturday October 24, 2009, for the Thurmont Lions Club “Make a Difference Day.” The most special feature of the ceremony this year was “Support Our Troops.” A special tribute to Thurmont and surrounding area veteran’s past and present, who have served, or are currently serving in the military service of the United States. Each family with a military member was bestowed great thanks of appreciation as their son or daughter serve so valiantly. All of the families received a Presidential Blue Star Banner, which is to be placed in the window of their home. This banner serves notice to all that a household member is serving in the United States Armed Forces. The banner dates back to 1917, when it was first presented to families for all to see the contribution and sacrifices made. The star is a symbol of pride and honor which no member of the military be forgotten. Many have given the last measure of duty and supreme sacrifice of their lives to defend American liberty, and maintain security which we may too often take for granted. “Freedom is not Free,” there is a sacrifice. Lt. Robert Seidel, US Army, US Army Specialist Erik W. Hayes, and Lance Corporal James W. Higgins Jr., USMC, were honored for making the supreme sacrifice while performing their military duty. Portraits of Corporal James W. Higgins Jr., and Specialist Erik W. Hayes, were unveiled and presented to their families as a gesture of appreciation of a most unselfish act that can be given. The Thurmont Lions Club contracted an artist from Colorado to paint the portraits. It is nearly incomprehensible and without sufficient ability to thank such a deed when one gives a life for a greater cause, and protects others from harm’s way. That is exactly what these three men did. All service is commendable and deserving of thanks; to those who gave their life, no words can suffice. Each of these families was presented the Gold Star Banner for display in their home. President Woodrow Wilson first presented this symbolic star of honor to the mothers of the deceased service members as special thanks for this very personal loss. In 1929 the Mothers Gold Star, Inc., became a maternal organization to enshrine those lost children. The Thurmont Lions “We Support Our Troops” ceremony ended with a poem read by Thurmont Mayor Martin A. Burns, entitled “Old Glory.” Mayor Burns read the poem eloquently projecting home a spirit of national patriotism, which becomes the author of why armed force members rally around the flag. The Thurmont Lions Club performance was nothing less than first class and most spectacular. Thank you Thurmont Lions for “Making a Difference” everyday.
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I want to thank everyone in the program for remembering our sons so honorable. The painting hangs in our Thurmont home above the TV and between the graduation pictures. James had a love for his town of Thurmont of pride and knowing where his heart was right here at home.. James and his younger brother Joe and younger sister Mindy went to school here from the start of grade school through graduation. His love for football, school, friends and family had an effect on everyone that met James. His love for his country took James to a place that would never make him forget what freedom was all about and James went through things that so many of our young people are going through that join our military for everything that the American Flag stand for.
It is a great loss that so many go through when a young life is taken from us. There is no words what a parent feels when having to put their child in the ground before them.
There is no courts to go to for justice. But there is an honor to feel that your child gave everything, their time to be a parent, a grand-parent, a time to grow old, there are no more holidays with them, there are no more birthdays, there is only what would be. Life changes for so many and yet we stand proud and strong and know that they fought for what they felt was right and that they would do it all again knowing what they would be faced going through. That strength is what we hold onto, to keep going ourselves.
Thank you again for supporting our troops.
Debbie S. Higgins
240-674-5223
higginsds@comcast.net
PO Box 236
Thurmont, MD 21788
http://www.NationalFallenHeroes.org
National Fallen Heroes Memorial
location to be on route 15, just north of Frederick MD
Fallen Heroes Motorcycle Association
an LLC of the National Fallen Heroes Memorial
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