Pricetown continues Memorial Day tradition

By STEVE ROUSH
The Highland County Press

Almost on cue, an ominous, overcast sky gave way to bright sunshine as American flags waved in the breeze as area residents made an annual march from the Pricetown Church of Christ to the Barker Cemetery to commence Memorial Day observances on Monday morning.

Jim Faust, one of the event organizers, said it’s been estimated that services to honor those who have served our great nation have been held in Pricetown between 100 and 110 years now.

“It’s a great tradition, and it’s so good to see so many young people out here so the tradition will be passed down to another generation,” Faust said.

A crowd of around 100 people made the trek along state Route 131 and made a right-hand turn into the Pricetown cemetery.

“I don’t know about you, but I love the fact that we actually walk from the church to the cemetery and back,” said Daryl Mount, pastor of the Pricetown Church of Christ, who gave an address at the cemetery. “I realize that for some of us, it is more of a challenge than it used to be, but I love that we still make the effort.”

Mount paused to look at the many youngsters in attendance.

“I love watching the children, riding bikes, skipping along or being pulled in a wagon. I enjoy the conversation with friends as we walk together. I enjoy the scenery – the country setting,” Mount said. “And I enjoy topping the hill and seeing the hallowed ground of the cemetery, realizing that it is a special, sacred place.”

The pastor said that, unfortunately, too many folks view Memorial Day simply as a day to sleep in and barbecue.

“I think most of all, though, I value the physical effort that is required to walk up the hill to this place,” Mount said. “Most of our fellow Americans are not making that effort this morning. Most of our fellow Americans, right now, today, are either sleeping in or getting ready for a picnic, or camping out, or boating, or going to an athletic event.

“But you have chosen to put forth the effort, to take some time out of your day to remember our fallen comrades, to delay recreational activities until you’ve paid your respects to those who have made it possible for you to enjoy this country’s freedoms. You’ve made the effort to walk up the hill.”

Mount said we always need to remember and be thankful for the effort that has been made to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.

“I think it helps us to remember that to have freedom, to live in a free country, a free society, it takes effort,” he said. “It takes perseverance. It takes sacrifice.”

Each year, the Pricetown church tries to honor a person from its congregation who has served our country in the armed forces, and on Monday, Jeffery Yankey was honored for his service in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Yankey served 15 months in Iraq and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Combat Action Badge.

The crowd gave Jeffery Yankey, his wife, Amie, and their sons an ovation.

Back at the church, former Ohio State Patrolman and former Highland County commissioner Gary Heaton was the keynote speaker for the 11 a.m. service.

Heaton was a platoon sergeant who served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star.

“It’s great to see so many children here today, and I truly hope that people pass this on to their kids and their kids pass it on to their kids so people will always understand the importance of Memorial Day.”

Heaton talked about his service, and how a friend and former sports rival during his high school days, Donnie Priest, lost his life in action during the Vietnam War.

“John 15, Verse 13 says, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” Heaton said.

“The soldiers who have come before, have made it possible for us to have a future and make what we want of that future. Many of those soldiers did not get that chance, or did they? Did those fallen soldiers decide that service to their country was their future – no matter where that decision took them?”