Honoring those who served

A rich history spanning more than 150 years meant many graves in the expansive cemetery behind Mt. Bethel Christian Church in Bethany were marked with more than one type of flag for Veterans Day.

“We have 18 Confederate veterans buried here, in addition to many other veterans,” Wayne Barham said. “We really feel a close connection to the history those veterans represent for our church and the people here in this community.”

The church honored the community’s present-day veterans Friday with the second annual Veterans Day Spaghetti Supper. Veterans and their families enjoyed a free dinner of salad, spaghetti, bread and dessert served by members of the church youth group, followed by music and a special honor guard presentation.

U.S. Army veteran Thomas Lynn served in Germany during the Vietnam War period. Lynn said he saw the sign in front of Mt. Bethel announcing the dinner and decided to stop.

“I really enjoyed the meal,” Lynn said. “But I also enjoyed knowing there were people willing to do something like this for us veterans. It really means a lot, especially on Veterans Day.”

The church’s Veterans Day event also included the dedication of new historical markers at Mt. Bethel. A 12-foot stone marker was placed at the edge of the cemetery Friday honoring the service of the church’s many veterans. The left side of the marker listed the names of Mt. Bethel members serving in the Confederate Army, while the names of three former church ministers who also served appear on the right side.

The center section of the marker stands as a memorial to all members of the church who served the nation’s Armed Forces, as well as serving their church.

“It’s like the marker says,” Barham said. “We want to preserve the stories behind these men and women that go far beyond the words and dates on the grave markers.”

Mt. Bethel Christian Church was founded on April 15, 1857, making it the 20^th-oldest church in the county and the oldest Christian Church.

About the time the music and honor guard presentation began at Mt. Bethel, a very different type of Veterans Day event was beginning in Mayodan. A tradition dating back more than a decade continued Friday evening as about 30 family members, friends and veterans gathered at the Veterans Park on Second Avenue to join Cub Scout Pack 562 for a Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Cubmaster Maryjane Webb said the tradition began with only four flags, but has grown to more than 30.

“When American flags become too damaged or worn to be appropriate for display, they should be retired with all the respect due our country’s flag,” Webb said. “The proper way to retire a flag is to burn it in a special ceremony.”

But there is much more involved in retiring a flag with the dignity it deserves than just dropping it into a fire.

The Cub Scouts spend nearly a full month learning the history and symbolism of the flag, as well as their responsibilities as American citizens, as part of their advancement requirements. They also learn songs and skits to be used in the ceremony that are part of their scouting requirements.

Each flag to be retired goes through a special process in preparation for the ceremony. The red and white stripes are separately cut from the flag and the blue field with stars is cut away intact. The 13 stripes and blue field are burned separately.

“The scouts must learn what the stripes, blue field and stars represent,” Webb said. “In order to honor the flag with the respect it is due, it’s necessary to know what it stands for and its place in American history.”

Several veterans attended Friday’s service, which also honored Veterans Day. Veterans from World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan took turns helping scouts place a piece of a retired flag in the fire.

“It’s a special time when these men that helped make this country great lend a hand in helping these young scouts honor the flag they fought so hard to protect,” Webb said.

Friday’s ceremony held special meaning for U.S. Army veteran Wade Vaden. Vaden, who served at the end of World War II and during the Korean Conflict, was able to participate in part of the ceremony with his grandson, Bryce Lemons, a member of Pack 562.

“It meant a lot to be able to share in something that meaningful with him,” Vaden said. “It’s also great to know that he’s learning to appreciate what that flag stands for and what it cost to keep it flying.”