Lake Lure Memorial Day Program Summary

Mayor Carol Pritchett welcomed everyone for their attendance, especially given the rain. She shared the following remarks.

“The memories and emotions of this day were very poignant. For countless families across our nation, Memorial Day is a stark and often painful reminder of those who have been lost in service to our Country.  

Today, we remember those who sacrificed so we could live in freedom. On this Memorial Day we are thinking of those who have lost someone they love in service to our Country."  

The Mayor recognized those mothers, fathers, siblings and children who were present and had lost a loved one in service. She noted that their courage and grace after such unimaginable loss was inspiring.

She took the opportunity to recognize Active Duty Military Personnel and those family members with a loved one who was currently serving.  

She added a special thank you to all Veterans who were present and to their family members as well. She asked that Veterans stand we the audience could recognize them. She noted that each of the Veterans sacrificed so much for our country and we honor them all on this date.    

Mayor Pritchett asked the audience to rise for the presentation of colors and to remain standing or the Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss Liana Vivola here from Lake Lure Classical Academy followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Mrs. Katherine Johnston.

Posting of Colors: Rutherford County Sheriff’s Honor Guard including Detective Ryan Bailey, Detective Hunter Haynes, Detective Julie Greene, and Lt. Ben King

 

The Star Spangled Banner led by Mrs. Katherine Johnston

Oh, say can you see

by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed

at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars

through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched

were so gallantly streaming.

And the rocket's red glare,

the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night

that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that Star - Spangled

Banner yet wave
o'er the land of the free

and the home of the brave.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Miss Liana Vivolo, a Lake Lure Classical Academy student.

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

    

 

Pastor Alex Heafner, Minister, Chimney Rock Baptist Church  led the Invocation

"Heavenly Father, we gather this morning to remember and honor those who have given their lives in the service of our nation.  We are thankful for the freedoms we have and are mindful that freedom is not free.  Perhaps there are some among us who know someone, a grandfather, a father or mother, a sibling, a relative, a friend, a neighbor among that list.  Perhaps their lives were lost at Valley Forge, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, or Yorktown.  We think of Pearl Harbor, Normandy, or the Ardennes Forest.  Perhaps it was the Pusan Perimeter or the Chosin Reservoir, or a Firebase on a mountaintop or ridge, or a jungle in Vietnam. We think of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan. There are those who perished in Training Missions and Exercises.  We do not know them, but You know each one.  We recognize and honor their lives today; the price that has been paid in lost lives, lost dreams and hopes.  We are mindful of Your Providence as well. In the Name of Jesus Christ the LORD we pray, Amen."

 

Mayor Pritchett thanked Pastor Heafner and then introduced Mrs. Erin Harper, one of the brilliant teachers at Lake Lure Classical Academy.  She has been working with her students to present a series of poignant readings and she introduced each of her students before their presentations.

 

Memorial Day Tributes: Lake Lure Classical Academy Students (led by their teacher Mrs. Erin Harper) recited the following poems.  

• Mr. Noah Dawkins "Lake Lure Memorial Day" by Anonymous Author
• Miss Finnian White "Just a Common Soldier" (A Soldier Died Today) by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
• Mr. Davis Young "Our Memories" by Lenore Hetrick
• Mr. Colby Calhoun "Dip the Colors" by Lenore Hetrick 

Front row left to right: Col. Bob Bourne, Mrs. Katherine Johnston, Mrs. Erin Harper, Miss Zoey Harper, Mr. Colby Calhoun, Miss Finnian White

Back row left to right: Pastor Alex Heafner, Miss Liana Vivolo, Mr. Noah Dawkins, Mr. Davis Young, Mayor Carol Pritchett, and Capt. Dave DiOrio

 

Memorial Day in Lake Lure
Read by: Noah Dawkins

In the heart of Lake Lure, we gather today,
To honor the brave in our own special way.
With gratitude deep and emotions sincere,
We pay tribute to those we hold dear.
Their sacrifice noble, their courage so true,
In fields far away, in skies vast and blue.
For freedoms we cherish, for liberties won,
We stand united, under the same sun.
With pride in our hearts, and tears in our eyes,
We remember their valor beneath the vast skies.
For every life given, for each soul laid to rest,
We're grateful, we're patriotic, our resolve put to test.
So let us pause, in this moment so grave,
To honor, to cherish, to remember and save.
For on this Memorial Day, we stand hand in hand,
A grateful, sympathetic, and patriotic land.

 

Just A Common Soldier (A Soldier Died Today) - A. Lawrence Vaincourt
Read by: Finnian White

He was getting old and paunchy, and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past
Of a war that we had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
Of his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbours, his tales became a joke
His Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bert has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He was just a common soldier and his ranks were growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

 

Our  Memories by Lenore Hetrick

Read by Mr. Davis Young

If we remember those who are gone
Then they live again.
They are here once more, they smile and speak,
Just as do living men.

So let's give our thoughts to the brave,
Upon this Memorial Day.
In spiritual fellowship let us speak,
And listen to what they say.

For a solider who died for his country must know
Much that he could tell,
And if we caught the message it might
Serve us oft and well.

So in our memories let the dead
Linger often and long.
Recollections of that kind live,
And are like a springtime song.

 

Dip The Colors - By Lenore Hetrick. ⠀
⠀Read by:Colby Calhoun

We dip the colors in honor today of the soldiers who said goodbye, and marched away to defend their land beneath a foreign sky.⠀
⠀
We dip the colors to those who struggled under a native sun, and did not cease the strife of warfare until the battle was won.⠀
⠀
To all the soldiers who sleep today, who rest beneath the sod, we dip the colors and say a prayer, And leave them to their God. ⠀
⠀
Wishing you all a happy and fun filled Memorial Day with friends and loved ones! 

 

Mayor Pritchett thanked the students and their teacher, Mrs. Harper for organizing these recitals. She also acknowledged the parents of these students as well for supporting their participation today!

Mayor Pritchett then introduced Captain Dave DiOrio who she has known for several years now.

 

Memorial Day Speech

by Dave DiOrio May 27, 2024

 

Captain DiOrio thanked Mayor Pritchett for the wonderful introduction.  "It is an honor to be with you today to memorialize all the great patriots who gave their lives in the service of our country. Thank you all for joining us today.

Memorial Day commemorates the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our great nation from the American Revolution to today’s persistent struggle against global tyranny and terrorism. The origin of Memorial Day, first observed during the Civil War, then known as Decoration Day, was to beautify the graves of the fallen with flowers and flags in memory of the hundreds of thousands who fought and died to preserve the Union. We will embrace that tradition by this morning by decorating our Lake Lure Town Memorial - here next to us.

Memorial Day is for both remembrance and celebration, reflecting on the heart-breaking loss of life and recounting the courageousness of their service. At the core of our military lies the selfless desire to serve and the willingness to sacrifice to defend our nation. President Harry Truman captured the essence of this day as he reflected on taking on the role of President after the death of Franklin Roosevelt.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. Because of these sacrifices, the dawn of justice and freedom throughout the world slowly casts its gleam across the horizon.” His words are timeless, just as relevant today as they were during the founding of our nation.  

Coming from a military family and certainly to those here who were part of the extended military community, I can tell you that it is important to remember that the cost of freedom is paid not only by the tragic death of a servicemember, but also by the family who has to endure that tremendous loss. It is the family that embraces liberty and self-less service to support a son, daughter, sibling, spouse, or parent to join the service and enter harm’s way. It is the family that endures the absence of the servicemember during long and extended deployments – and it is the family that suffers the pain and anguish of the untimely loss of a beloved Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine that makes the ultimate sacrifice.   

In Western North Carolina there has been a long and storied history of family support for military service.  I would like to share with you a story of sacrifice and dedication that occurred near here during the time that the first settlers arrived in Hickory Nut Gorge just before the American Revolution. The families of the first settlers endured unimaginable hardship and loss, but their pain and sacrifice laid a strong foundation of service that endures to this day.

After the brutal French and Indian War, settlement in our area expanded quickly and many of the founding families of North Carolina traveled down the hazardous Wagon Trail from Virginia to settle as far West as they could go in pursuit of the American dream - land to farm - a home of their own – and a chance for a more promising future. Indeed, the Hamptons, Ledbetters, GoForths, Shelbys, Russells, Whitesides, Wilsons, Gilkeys, Searcys, Howards, Potts, Earles, McFaddens, Dells, Twittys, and many more well-known local families whose descendants still reside among us today - came this area in search of a better life. These families displayed an extraordinary measure of courage, determination, resilience, and service in the face of unimaginable adversity – and that tradition of service resonates to this day. It is fitting that we remember and memorialize their sacrifices, so I would like to share two family stories that characterize the fighting spirit of our community.

In 1767, Hickory Nut Gorge was the far west as the British government would allow settlements. The Royal Governor William Tryon established a treaty boundary to pacify the Cherokee Nation that stretched from South Carolina to Virginia. Nearby, that line generally followed the Blue Ridge foothills, closely aligned with Bills Creek Road today. That boundary was very contentious and the Cherokee frequently conducted incursions to prevent settler encroachments into their hunting grounds. That led to bloodshed and the local NC militia was called upon to protect families along the line.

Colonel William Graham, commander of the Old Tryon County militia under General Rutherford’s regional command was commissioned to build a line of forts along that line – the two closest to us were Potts Fort about half way to Old Fort and Russell’s Fort just a few miles from here east on Rte. 64 along the Rocky Broad river. These forts were quickly erected and garrisoned, supported by local farm families to supply and lodge the NC militia, known as flying camps, where militiamen moved from fort to fort and patrolled to the West for intelligence and warning of Cherokee movements and later to counter British led Loyalist activities in the area. Many local families supported the patriot soldiers - and encouraged their own able-bodied men – old and young alike to guard the line. A much easier course of action for these settlers would have been to flee to safer regions to the East, but the courageous and patriotic families – perhaps some of your own forefathers - chose to stay in harm’s way and fight for the Patriot cause.

As the Revolution moved to the Southern Campaign in 1780, British officers with Loyalist and Cherokee support, swept west into our area to conscript young men into Loyalist cavalry units. They threatened local families at the tip of a bayonet – robbing them of supplies and terrorizing them as they forcibly conscripted their men into service. The arrogant British completely misjudged the local response. In classic American fashion, wives and moms took care of business at home as they encouraged their husbands and sons to join the just Patriot cause against British tyranny. Their resilience and resistance led directly to an inspired Patriot militia victory against a heartless and conflicted Loyalist contingent at Kings Mountain in the fall of 1780 – a significant turning point and the beginning of the end of British rule in America. Indeed, the steadfast support of the first families of the newly minted Rutherford County - named in honor of their militia leader General Rutherford - became a significant factor in the founding of our nation.

But many of these families paid a significant price for liberty – and it is fitting that we honor and reflect on their sacrifice during this Memorial Day celebration. Many stories of heroism are lost to history, but I would like to reflect on the sacrifice of two courageous local families who gave support to the militia garrisoned in the forts I mentioned earlier.

In September 1780, the Potts family of Potts Fort - about 8 miles from here - lost the family patriarch Captain Johnathan Potts during a skirmish with the Loyalist Cavalry commanded by the disreputable villain, British Major Patrick Ferguson. Ferguson notoriously plundered local families, needlessly slaughtered unrelenting Patriots who failed to join the British cause, and rarely took prisoners. Local families got the last word however, when they sent off their young men with Colonel Andrew Hampton and the Rutherford County regiment to King’s mountain where Major Ferguson justifiably was shot down and quartered a devastating blow to the British army. But, the Potts family had to move-on without their revered patriarch.    

Also, during the war, a local farmer and civil servant George Russell and his wife Mary Whiteside Russell, supplied the militia operating from Russell Fort just a few miles down the road toward Rutherfordton. The family included teenagers that helped work the farm to support the soldiers. At 20 - Mary’s son and George’s step-son John Whiteside Jr. served in Colonel Hampton’s Rutherford County regiment. Russell’s Fort was positioned to monitor the movements of the British allies – the Cherokee – who raided into the area along the old Indian trail through Hickory Nut Gorge – right past where we are here today. Major Ferguson also raided the Russell homestead – stealing the family valuables and coveted linens to support his marauding cavalry. Cherokee raids steadily declined throughout the area, but the Cherokee exacted revenge on George by killing him in 1782 while bear hunting not far from here. George, Mary, and John Jr. are buried at the Buffalo Cemetery on the Rumbling Bald grounds. After the war, the Whiteside descendants spread throughout the valley – then known as Whiteside Valley - that later became Lake Lure after the Rocky Broad River was harnessed. Whitesides from each succeeding generation served proudly and with distinction in our military. The seeds of continued dedicated service sewn in the woods of Western North Carolina during the Revolution. 

So, no matter where their battlefield was—the mountains of Afghanistan, deserts of Iraq or Syria, skies over Europe, islands of the Pacific, frozen terrain of Korea, jungles of Vietnam or even around the corner here in Lake Lure—the stories of the fallen matter and need to be told. By sharing their stories, we keep their memories alive and give others a glimpse of military service to inspire a new generation of patriots.  It is up to us to cherish the gifts secured by those who made the ultimate sacrifice - and honor a debt that can never be repaid."

 

Mrs. Katherine Johnston shared another music tribute singing America Will Always Stand by Randy Travis

 

America Will Always Stand

She stands in the face of evil
And will not lose hope or faith
America, the land of freedom
Still the home of the brave.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand.

Walking through the fires of danger
There are those who gave their lives
They're the world's greatest heroes,
And we won't forget their sacrifice.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand.

America is not divided
Our enemies they will be stopped.
'Cause, we the people are united
And still, one nation Under God.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand

History will write the story,
America will always stand...

Mayor Pritchett thanked Katherine for sharing her talent with us today!  She then asked Col. Bob Bourne to come forward for the laying of the wreath.  He was assisted by Capt. Ed Dittmer, US Navy (Ret.). 

Mayor Pritchett thanked Col. Bourne for his service and for participating in today’s program.   She then ask Pastor Heafner to lead the closing prayer followed by Taps played by Miss Zoey Harper, another student from Lake Lure Classical Academy. 

 

Alex Heafner, Minister, Chimney Rock Baptist Church provided a closing prayer:

“Father, as we near the close of this observance, the rain may have changed the venue, but our sentiment has not changed.  As American Patriots, we know the freedoms and liberties we have are not entitlements that have magically appeared.  They have been purchased and preserved at great cost to individuals and families, and we have no intention of giving or having them taken away.  Help us to be a constant and courteous reminder of this truth, and may the sentiment Patrick Henry rest firmly within our hearts.  Thank You for the technology and resources we have, but may we be like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adam, Benjamin Franklin, and others throughout the ages and place our hope for the future in Divine Providence.  Thank You for our Mayor, our Government and Civic Leaders and the various staff that has made this gathering possible, in the Name of Christ, Amen.”

 

Miss Zoey Harper, another student from Lake Lure Classical Academy played Taps.

 

 

Mayor Carol Pritchett closed the program by thanking everyone for joining us this morning to honor all those who have served our Country so bravely.   She thanked everyone who contributed to today’s program, especially the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa and George and Hope Wittmer for their support.  She invited everyone to stay and enjoy a continental breakfast while we continue to fellowship. 

Note: Other Lake Lure Classical Academy Faculty members in attendance were Kay Dawkins, Michael Dawkins, & Clinton Calhoun. Other Lake Lure Classical Academy students in attendance were Cayden Calhoun, Paige Harper, Wyatt Harper, Tobias Harper, Nixon Vivolo, Danaan White.

Special Thanks: Capt. Ed Dittmer, US Navy (Ret.), Military Advisor