Let Freedom Ring

The ping of metal striking metal rang out as the team from United Cooperative Services drove metal rebar into the damp ground on an overcast Thursday before the Memorial Day weekend.

As Eric Compton, a U.S. Navy veteran and energy solutions specialist from United’s Stephenville office, brought the pole driver down onto the metal, he said he thought about those he’d known who had lost their lives in combat fighting for American freedom.

“I’ve had several brothers-in-arms who were killed in wartime in theater and a couple who committed suicide,” Compton said. “So Memorial Day is just a hard time for me. There’s always this survivor’s guilt that a lot of us carry. And so, this is kind of a way that helps with that guilt. So, it’s just an honor for me to volunteer and do that for any of my fallen brothers and sisters in arms.”

He and nine others from the co-op spent their time to assist before the opening of Honoring Hometown Heroes: Hero Banners and A Field of Flags, which ran May 24-27 in Granbury. This year’s field displayed 500 flags and 75 hero banners, according to organizers.

This was the second year for Bret McClendon, United AMI systems analyst in Joshua and U.S. Air Force veteran, to volunteer for the Honoring Hometown Heroes event. He assisted Compton and others setting rebar for the flags, setting hero banners and erecting the flag honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action.

“As a veteran, I know a lot of other veterans, and I’ve seen some of the things and some of the struggles that they’ve struggled with,” McClendon said. “I’m attuned to the effects that losing someone can have on somebody. So, anything I can do to be of service to somebody who’s experienced that kind of loss is one of my passions. Anytime I can help out, or just provide a service for somebody—even if they don’t ask for it, and they need that—I like to be a part of that.”

The memorial is the brainchild of Granbury resident and gold-star mother, Gail Joyce, whose youngest son, Sgt. James “Casey” Joyce, was killed on Oct. 3, 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia.

Now entering its 12th year and sponsored by the Military Officers Association of America, Joyce said last year in an interview that she hoped the memorial allows attendees to see the faces of deceased services members and reflect on the sacrifices made by all members of the U.S. Military.

]Gail was honored with a Yellow Rose of Texas Award from Gov. Greg Abbot during last year’s opening ceremonies. The recognition is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions in the way of exceptional community service to the state of Texas.

Cathy Castro is this year’s chairwoman for the Honoring Hometown Heroes event. She said that she appreciated the hard work and literal sweat equity that United volunteers put into making this year’s event happen.

“There’s  lot of labor involved, and you have to have people that are willing to work like your guys,” she said. “I’m looking at them right now, and they are willing to sweat and get dirty. We just got lucky with United’s team. Y’all have really just made our lives a lot better. Whatever is necessary, y’all helped us get it done.”