Barbara Walton
June 3, 2010

Today, Memorial Day, is a very special day that has was set aside to honor our fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price that we might enjoy all the freedoms that our founders envisioned for this great nation. It was first established right after the Civil War when President Lincoln was trying to bring our country back together after thousands had died on both sides – Confederate and Union – so that we might once again be “One nation under God”. Since that time it has evolved into a holiday that recognizes all veterans who have given the last full measure of their devotion including the recognition and honor of those still serving to preserve our way of life. On this day, may we take time to remember our great heritage of freedom and justice for all while we enjoy the time of fun with our families and friends.

Friday night Patsy & J. T. Saunders as well as Travis & Syble Thomas attended the graduation of their grandson, Dannon Thomas, in Marshall, TX. Pat said that it was a teary time to see Dannon graduate and step out into the real world. We send out “Best Wishes” to him as he chooses a path that will bring him success and happiness in the years to come.

The daughter of Helen Rhodes Asphar and her husband Alex, Sarah Helen, was married to Jeremy Carter at Grace United Methodist Church in Ruston at 2:00, on Saturday afternoon; the reception was held afterwards at the old renovated fire station. Mary Gene said that everything was perfectly beautiful. Alex’s aunt and sister led the family and friends in a mid-eastern dance that is traditional at weddings in the Asphar family. Vergil was unable to attend the wedding so Floy and Marie Rockett went and kept him company while the family celebrated this special occasion. On Sunday, all of the children went to the nursing home to spend time with Vergil. Their son, Buddy, took Vergil to the church service and then had lunch with him. Mary Gene and the rest of the family had lunch at Johnny’s Pizza. It was truly a great weekend for this family.

This was a sad week for those of us who were family and friends of Nancy Barron Alford Smith. Nancy was a wonderful person and had a great impact on many lives in her work as an English teacher at Farmerville High Schools. She will, truly, be missed I extend my condolences to her family; may they take comfort in knowing her life made a difference to so many. Nancy’s niece, Holly, paid tribute to her in a letter that was real in our church at the end of our service on Sunday. It was beautiful and expressed so many things that were personal to Holly but was a perfect reflection of the Nancy we knew and loved.

Marie Rockett was honored by her high school classmates, Carolyn Roberts & Barbara Pilgreen, on Wednesday, with a birthday lunch at Picadilly’s in Monroe. Her special “Birthday Cake” was a piece of that wonderful fresh strawberry pie. After lunch they did a “little shopping” and just had lots of fun. Then on Thursday Oda Rockett and Patsy Saunders treated Marie to lunch at the Log Cabin in Ruston. The dessert, double loaded brownies, was delicious. While they were there they met up with two of our new mothers Jessica & Lauren, with their new, sweet, little boys, Ethan & Chandler. This has been a fun week for Marie as she was remembered by her special friends.

On May 18, 2010, Logan Forbess, grandson of Clyde & Lynette Barron, was presented a Life-Saving Bar and a certificate from the Cedar Hill Council in Dallas, TX. for his heroic effort in saving the life of a woman in a car accident. Logan located the car in a clump of trees, managed to move a tree that had fallen on the car, and pull her to safety before a grass fire ignited the leaking fuel. He received a standing ovation from the crowd attending the meeting, with many of these being his fellow colleagues. We are so proud of Logan for his love of people and being diligent to do his duty even when his own life was at risk.

Thought for the Day

---

---

---

---