Residents joined with member of the Tucker County Veterans Association Sunday at the All Veterans Memorial Wall in Parsons for a Memorial Day Ceremony. Vickie Mason presents a plaque to the family of Veteran Robert ‘Bob’ Poling during the service commemorating his dedication and service to the Tucker County Veterans Association.
PARSONS – Many times we hear about those who served in the United States military and it is said “All Gave Some and Some Gave All.” Memorial Day, held the last Monday in May, is a time to recognize those military personnel who died in their service to our country.
On Sunday, the Tucker County Veterans Association hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at the All Veterans Memorial Wall at the intersection of Route 219 and Route 72 in Parsons.
Emcee Vickie Mason recognized members of the Tucker County Veterans Association who had passed during 2017.
“It’s always hard when you lose somebody and this year, we have lost two of our members,” Mason said. “In March, we lost Jimmy Drenning who was one of our members on the mountain. Jimmy attended as many meetings as he was able to. He helped the group as an advisor for the Veterans Memorial Monument we built in Davis.”
Mason said the second member of the Tucker County Veterans Association who passed was Robert ‘Bob’ Poling, and presented a plaque to his family.
“We lost one of our original members who worked very hard at building the All Veterans Memorial Wall in Parsons,” Mason said. “He attended all of the meetings and worked hard for the Tucker County Veterans, helping with everything including fundraising.”
Mason said before he passed away, Bob had a conversation with his son Kevin.
“He donated a rifle for us to use in a raffle,” Mason said. “Even though he isn’t with us today, he continues to help with our fundraising efforts.”
Mason presented a plaque to Poling’s family in appreciation for his dedication and service to the Tucker County Veterans Association.
Parsons Mayor Dorothy Judy was the keynote speaker and talked about the history of the poppy as a symbol of Memorial Day in the United States. She also spoke about the requirements of those soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony included a presentation of the colors and placing of the Memorial Wreath by the Tucker County Veterans and an invocation and benediction by Pastor David Snyder of the Parsons Church of God. Musical selections were sung by Danny Barkley and Vickie Mason did a reading of Remembrance.
