CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary Eighth grade ‘Outstanding Boy and Girl of the Year’ awards earned by Ashkar Elementary School students were: Seth Stackhouse (left) supported by parents Scott and Polly Stackhouse; and Morgan Hopkins with parents Stacie and Steve Hopkins of Unityville. Recited respectively were “The Gettysburg Address,” and “Flanders Field.” The students spoke during the May 30 Memorial Day services at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hughesville.  

HUGHESVILLE – “When I arrived at boot camp, some mad guy jumped on the bus and began screaming. I joined to fight for freedom and this guy was taking mine away,” said former Marine Jerry Uppling during the May 30 Memorial Day services at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hughesville.

“We must first learn to follow orders before we’re capable of handling freedom and duty,” said the current pastor of Picture Rocks Baptist Church.

“Our county’s heroin problem and enemies who hate us being allowed into the country,” are examples Uppling sees as a lack of capabilities. “We’re easy and growing soft,” he said.

The speaker went on to say, “It’s days like this that make me reminisce about people who didn’t come back from war. We’re the ones who need to stand up and say, I’m willing to be responsible.”

Inviting all to place a hand on their hearts, Uppling then said, “Lives were given for you, that’s why you touch your heart. It was personal; it was for you.”

CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary   Guest speaker Jerry Uppling, (left) Pastor at Picture Rocks Baptist Church and former Marine, and Commander, Abe Pittenger of the Glenn Sharrow American Legion Post 35 of Hughesville, spoke during Memorial Day Services on May 30 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hughesville.  

On the subject of lives given for others, Uppling shared his pastoral position saying, “We have the freedom of spirit because Jesus Christ gave His life to set us free from spiritual entanglements. Not collective, but for you.”

At one time, the speaker had trouble with parties and events staged on Memorial Day. “I’ve had a change of heart. We should ‘party hardy’ in honor of those who made it possible for us to have our personal freedom. When I walk and read my friends’ names on the walls at Washington, D.C., I feel it.”

Hosted by the Glenn Sharrow American Legion Post 35, commander and master of ceremonies Abe Pittenger gave words of appreciation to attendees.

Annually, recitations are given by an outstanding eighth grade girl and boy from Ashkar Elementary School in Hughesville. Honors this year went to Morgan Hopkins, daughter of Stacie and Steve Hopkins, Unityville, and Seth Stackhouse, son of Polly and Scott Stackhouse, Muncy.

The invocation and benediction was offered by Pastor Jane O’Borski of Christ United Methodist Church, Hughesville. Her words included prayer for those of us who morn.

The Hughesville High School Band, under the direction of Geoff Harman, played the “National Anthem,” and also “Stars and Stripes Forever.”