McKenzie, Huntingdon Host Memorial Day Events

McKENZIE/HUNTINGDON (May 27) — McKenzie and Huntingdon hosted their annual Memorial Day events honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

As part of McKenzie’s festivities, Ady Freeman sang the national anthem along with other patriotic songs.

Chaplain (Lt.) Garrett Burns was the featured Memorial Day speaker. He spoke about how “freedom is worth defending. Our joy, our freedom and our gratitude are worth defending. Have we forgotten what it means to be free because we have the freedom to forget? Memorial Day exists to feed the belief to remind us of the freedoms that were fought for.”

Following the keynote speaker, Randy McCadams read a Memorial Day poem. He also provided the opening prayer. A Wreath was placed in honor of those who served.

In Huntingdon, Mayor Nina Smothers welcomed those in attendance and acknowledged those in the audience who served in the armed forces.

Dr. Walter Butler delivered the message of how combat and deaths in service to one’s country forever alter families. He spoke about his family’s service and took time to focus on his uncle Major Walter Sidney Butler, Jr. Major Butler was part of the 23rd Fighter Group which was known as the Fighting Tiger. He lost his life while fighting in the Pacific Theater.

After joining the Army Air Corps in 1941. Butler flew numerous missions in the Pacific. In 1944, he was discharged and returned home. In just a matter of days, he decided to reenlist and was placed with the 76th Fighter Squadron with the rank of captain.

On April 3, 1945, he was piloting his P-51D Mustang #44-11284 left a base at Laohwangping, China. He was leading a dive bombing and strafing mission to Yangtong. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on their last pass. His last communication was “I am hit.” He was promoted to major a few days prior and probably did not know about the promotion at the time of his death.

Dr. Butler stated his grandparents were grief-stricken at the loss of their son. His grandfather died of a stroke a few years later, and his grandmother rarely left her seat at the window waiting and watching for her son to return home.

At the end of the program, a memorial wreath was placed by Huntingdon Boy Scouts followed by the playing of Taps and the raising of the United States Flag.