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Guard Appreciation Day 2004 Revisited |
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Written by Darrell and Jean Butler - A Page In Time
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Tuesday, 01 November 2005 |
 DYERSBURG, TN - August of last year, Jean and I attended the Community Appreciation Day for our National Guard unit. I have never seen such an expression of community pride and togetherness. Hundreds turned out for this event.
The Fourth of July celebrations we have attended in the past paled in comparison to the patriotic enthusiasm elicited by this celebration. The patriotic songs performed by the Millington Naval Band, two high school bands and a choir, the mournful wails of the bagpipes and the short concise speeches by a number of elected officials created an aura of patriotism that glowed with a brilliance over the Dyer County Fairgrounds.
In the midst of all this came the arrival of our Guardsmen. One could feel the emotions of the crowd - a feeling of pride, love of country, mixed with a deep sadness and uncertainty. An uncertainty created by the realization that some of these men might not return to their homes and families a year from now. I think many of those present, as they stood and watched these men and women, uttered silent prayers beseeching God to stand over these guardians of our liberty.
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