June, 2026

HONORING OUR HEROS

On May 30, 1868, the then General and future President James A. Garfield addressed a crowd of 5,000 people from the porch of the Arlington Mansion at the Arlington National Cemetery on the first Decoration Day. Before him were the graves of 15,000 men who had lost their lives in the Civil War. In his speech he said these words about them:

“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

The commemoration of Decoration Day, or, as it increasingly became known, Memorial Day, continued through the late nineteenth and early twentieth century as an informal patriotic holiday. After World War I, the event was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday by an act of Congress. It was designed to be a day of remembrance and honor, a time to consider the freedoms and values preserved through the ultimate sacrifices of our miliary men and women.

Throughout Olive Branch’s almost 200-year history, members of our congregation have served in the wars of our country. Some have served and made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

As our way of recognizing them, we would like to establish a Memorial Plaque to be placed in the Narthex of our Sanctuary. On this plaque we will record the names of men and women in service who have perished as a direct result of war, so that it will be a constant reminder to us that the freedoms we enjoy, including the freedom to worship, is a result of their heroism and service.

We are in the process of developing the list of names to be included on this plaque. If you know of a member of Olive Branch Christian Church who perished on the battlefield or whose death was a direct result of war, please call the church office or give me the information. Thank you for helping us honor their sacrifice.

Peace ~ Pastor Richard
June, 2026