Memorial Day Observed in Impromptu Martinsburg Gathering

Although the official Memorial Day parade and observances were cancelled in light of the COVID-19 restrictions, private individuals gathered via word of mouth and social media at Fairview Cemetery in Martinsburg on Monday morning, May 25, to continue the tradition.

Philip Waite, Central High School history teacher and pastor at Target One Ministries, Martinsburg, opened in prayer and then read the names of the 46 citizens from the Cove who gave their lives in ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

He related that POW and long-time assistant principal at Spring Cove Middle School Joseph Conlon always carried two cards in his wallet: one with names of all of his fellow B-24 crew who were killed in Hungary, and one with the name of every boy who graduated from Central High School killed in Vietnam. Waite noted that these names represent just a fraction 1.5 million service members who died for freedom secured at home, freedom defended abroad and freedom extended to others.

Opportunity was given for gold star family members to honor their loved ones and Earl Springer of Martinsburg spoke of his uncle Earl, a 26-year-old pro baseball player killed during World War II whose body rests in Luxembourg. Springer encouraged everyone to mark the day by watching the annual Memorial Day concert available on the PBS website.

Waite read various letters including Abraham Lincoln's letter to widow Lydia Parker Bixby, who lost five sons during the Civil War and 101st Airborne Private Dorian's letter to his parents on the eve of the Normandy invasion. "Freedom is never free," Waite reminded. He also cited the words inscribed at the Marine cemetery at Iwo Jima: "We gave our tomorrows for your todays."

Several in attendance echoed the final words from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address with him: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." John F. Kennedy was also quoted, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Waite urged, "We must teach our youth and our neighbors the cost of freedom, that this sacrifice must never be in vain. We must never get apathetic, selfish, or become so divided that we forget the vision of our founders, that we would be one nation run by the consent of the governed where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a gift of God handed down. If we fail to teach that, it's not the fault [of these warriors]. They have given the last full measure. It becomes our fault, because we have gotten apathetic."

Waite closed in prayer of thanks for the physical and spiritual freedom available through Jesus Christ. The service concluded with the playing of "Taps."

Police chief Kerry Hoover and the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company were also in attendance.

A video of the service can be seen on Waite's Facebook page.