WoodmenLife presented American flags and flagpoles to the Ron Cross Senior Center and Green/Bryant American Legion Post No. 039 and there were dedication ceremonies on Sept. 11.
The ceremonies were named, “In Honor and Remembrance: Woodmen of the World Salutes America’s Heroes.”
At the senior center, Durant Police Honor Guard members Lt. Chris Marcy and Sgt. Nick Spencer presented the colors. The Choctaw Nation Honor Guard presented the colors at American Legion. The flags were raised and then lowered to half staff.
Bill Ledbetter, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, gave the invocation and spoke during the American Legion ceremony.
“I’m thankful for this beautiful flag,” Ledbetter said. “It represents this beautiful gift from God that we call America, the greatest nation ever built in the history of mankind. We enjoy more freedom, more prosperity than any nation in history. We are the longest, ongoing constitutional republic in history.
“This flag represents our liberty. The 46th star on this flag represents the state of Oklahoma. I’m glad we’re a part of this union called United States of America, a great republic. I’m thankful for the fact that this flag is worth dying for. It really is and that’s because of the principles upon which this nation is built.”
Pat Metheny, past state/local president and current WoodmenLife Chapter 558 secretary, spoke at both ceremonies.
She gave some of the history of Woodmen.
“Woodmen was established in 1890 and our Durant chapter 558 was chartered in 1896 – just six short years after its founding,” Metheny said. “We are pleased to still be carrying on in much the same way and with the same values on which this organization was founded almost 135 years ago - that of helping one another.” Metheny said the honor remembrance ceremony was created in 2002 after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“This has become Woodmen’s nationwide signature ceremony,” she said. “More than 6,800 flags and flagpoles have been donated and dedicated in ceremonies such as this. Hundreds more will be dedicated this year. We can think of no more special way to honor these brave men and women than by the sight of the American flag flying proudly. I always like to tell people that next to the United States government, Woodmen purchases more American flags than other organization and gives them away to non-profit organizations.”
Metheny then spoke of 9/11 which she said was a horror no one expected to happen in “the land of the free.”
“Thousands of our citizens and those of other countries lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania,” Metheny said. “Hundreds of heroes materialized during and after those attacks, and it is to them and those who have fought and continue fighting to strengthen our freedom, that we dedicate this ceremony. Abraham Lincoln once said: ‘Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”’ Metheny also spoke of the unity of Americans during this time.
“Although this was a devastating event, for a time, it brought us, as Americans, together in one accord as we poured out our hearts to the survivors and to the victims’ families and as we resolved to not be defeated,” Metheny said.
She then cited the grim statistics that included almost 3,000 killed and billions of dollars in property and economic losses.
“On this 23rd anniversary of those attacks, we still remember where we were and what we were doing that morning,” Metheny said. “The events are embedded in our minds. It is a day that changed our lives forever, making us realize that freedom is a very precious thing and not to be taken lightly.
“We continue to be engaged in more and more efforts to help groups and individuals in this nation and other nations experience freedom as we and they struggle against the forces of pure evil. As we all know, this is a battle that will not be easily won, but as long as we have men and women who are willing to sacrifice for their families’ and this country’s freedom, we will continue this battle so that we can continue to live in the land of the free because of the brave.”
In closing, American Legion Post No. 039 Commander Charles Manning thanked everyone for attending.
“Thank you for our officers who’ve come out to visit with us,” Manning said. “We appreciate you all every single day and all of our first responders and all of my fellow veterans who’ve showed up today.”
