Fallen remembered
Those who ‘did their job’ honored at Memorial Day ceremony in New Bern
May 30,2006
SUE BOOK
SUN JOURNAL STAFF
Hilda Pope of New Bern hadn’t planned on attending the Memorial Day event at the National Cemetery. Something just tugged on her heartstrings early Monday.
But when she arrived at the walled field with rows of simple white stones marking 716 graves, her feet took her straight to the monument for the soldier whose contribution touched her life most personally.
“My father was gone for three years and fought in five major battles in World War II,” Pope said.
Her father, Carl Pope, fought in the European theater during some of that war’s most intense battles 21 years after “the war to end all wars.”
“There were no superlatives, no metals. He just did his job and made it through,” she said, also recalling a young lost love who did not return from the war in Vietnam.
New Bern’s National Cemetery — one of 123 across the country — also has a tombstone to mark his contribution, though he remains missing in action.
Clearly all wars have not ended, and keynote speaker Sgt. Maj. Terry Jessup, now enlisted commander at Cherry Point, pulled three tours of duty in the country’s current war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Talking tough about the patriotism and bravery of the all volunteer fighting force the United States now mounts, Jessup said “no one says they do it because of the pay.”
He recalled “the smell of blood and guts” from war zones and watching young men and women die of massive injuries from improvised explosive devices.
“I haven’t shed a tear yet,” he said. “And my female Marines were tougher than me. They do what they do with great pride, and they are good at what they do.
“I married a Marine and we have two children. My son is going to Iraq. And my unit is going back for a fourth tour,” he said, with a little crack in his voice, quickly covered by applause from the more than 300 attending, including Gold Star Mothers Mabel Harris and Thelma Ware.
Andrea M. Becton, Craven County Veterans Council chairperson and a veteran, called forward area officials and representatives of veterans organizations who placed wreaths by the cemetery’s American flag.
“We remember; we are grateful; and we live and work today for the same ideals for which so many Americans paid the supreme sacrifice,” Becton said. “The spirit of our war dead lives forever with us.”
Her remarks were followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps by a contingent from Cherry Point.
Ed Fetzer, of the Sons of the Confederacy, read the Gettysburg Address, and Bryan Slater, of the Sons of Union Veterans, led those attending in the Pledge of Allegiance, continuing the irony of Memorial Day’s origin as Defenders Day following the Civil War.
“It’s always a good feeling to be here,” said Jimmy Sanders, mayor of Havelock, which had a 10 a.m. ceremony by the Harrier in front of City Hall.
“It’s such a beautiful day, and with the thousands of things all these people could do, here they are. It’s a great day,” Sanders said near a tent set up for Monday’s program.
Just a few feet from the tent was the headstone for Chris B. Heath, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant.
Heath lived from 7/15/26 to 7/23/76 and fought for his country in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. His contribution is summarized on the grave marker with three words: “A hard worker.”