BY DEBBIE PAGE

Hundreds of people gathered at Troutman ESC Park on Monday morning to pay tribute to fallen military service members during a moving ceremony to close the 10-day Walk of Heroes tribute. The event was hosted by the Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman in partnership with the Town of Troutman.

Exchange Club President Crystal McIntosh welcomed the crowd to this inaugural event and thanked club members and sponsors who have partnered to organize and execute the event over the past six months.

McIntosh also thanked the Town of Troutman staff who “has worked tirelessly hand-in-hand with the Evening Exchange Club to make sure that the 250 flags that have flown on your greenway for the last ten days are a beautiful representation of patriotism, respect for our fallen, and love for our country that we are blessed to call home.”

“In the turbulent times we are experiencing today, I believe wholeheartedly that the future of our country rests in the hands of our youth and what we teach them,” she said. “The seeds that we sow in their young hearts today is what will take root and blossom as they grow into adults.

“May we remember that freedom is never, at any time, more than one generation away from extinction. May we teach them about our veterans and what it means to serve, what it means to sacrifice for your country, and the enormous gratitude we should carry for those who paid the ultimate price lest they grow up not knowing that freedom surely isn’t free and that we in the United States of America are the home of the free, because of the brave.”

“May you leave here today with a renewed sense of gratitude for all our freedoms and the utmost respect for those who gave all,” said McIntosh.

Cotton Ketchie, a 20-year Exchange Club member and former club president, offered a prayer of comfort for those who have lost a family member in the service of the country and asked blessings on those serving today as well as all who have served in the armed forces.

After the Pledge of the Allegiance, McIntosh sang a soaring a cappella version of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Marine veteran and Town Manager Ron Wyatt said he and Mayor Teross Young saw this event as a way to honor those who sacrificed all, noting that Troutman had many who served during World War II and some who did not make it home, which greatly impacted the community.

Though Memorial Day is to honor the fallen, Wyatt said, “The way to pay the ultimate appreciation to those veterans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms is to thank those veterans who are serving today or those who have served.”

The Iredell County Marine Corps League presented the colors, accompanied by the haunting bugle notes of “Taps.”

Exchange Club N.C. District President J.D. Ketterman joined the organization to continue expressing his patriotism after retiring from the military after serving in the Air Force and Navy for 21 years. The group began in 1911 with a group of businessmen banding together to help their community.

Noting the problems facing the country then and today, Ketterman declared, “If we are going to change it, it has to start here.”

The club has three focus areas: serving youth and instilling in them patriotism and honor and duty to country; community service projects in partnership with areas agencies and organizations; and patriotism, including honoring country, military veterans, and fallen heroes.

“We want to bring more of that spirit of service and comradeship to Troutman,” Ketterman said.

Ketterman noted that 100 percent of the funds from the sale of flags during this event goes to community charities and organizations.

The group works hard to prevent child abuse, an Exchange Club national project, through the Pharos Parenting Center (https://pharosparenting.org/) in Statesville and serves veterans through many projects and by assisting veterans agencies throughout the year.

Retired Gen. James Mallory, a 35-year Army active and reserve veteran, bemoaned the gradual loss of Memorial Day weekend’s original purpose to focus on fallen military members.

“We gather here on Memorial Day to commemorate the sacrifice of one million Americans, fellow citizens who have died in the service of their country as members of the Armed Forces,” he said.

Mallory noted that many present have a loved one or friend who served or was lost in military action.

“The names inscribed in your hearts and brought together in your memories moved us to be here today,” he said. “Your presence honors their sacrifice. All veterans have sacrificed some, but some have sacrificed all.”

“Today we commemorate those who died in battle or as a consequence of wounds, both physical and emotional, as well as disease experienced by those who have seen combat.”

Mallory has had the mind-numbing and heart-breaking experience of sending off or receiving flag-draped coffins of soldiers who died while serving under his command in the service of their country.

Mallory remembered two of those soldiers, one of whom was an experienced service member and one a young soldier, and mourned the loss of their lives, their families’ grief, and their values and example. He said people can honor these men by action through stepping up to defend American freedoms.

“That need has never been greater than today for the best and brightest of the youngest generation. We need them to consider national service; yet many of the influencers who guide and mentor our young people are not encouraging them to a life in the military or national service.”

“Freedom is not free, and as a society we depend on the volunteer force, and I am convinced that those who do serve will become their generation’s leaders.”

“So I challenge you to leave today not just cherishing a memory or committing to learn about your family’s sacrifices, but to honor those memories by continuing to actively support the men and women in our Armed Forces,” said Mallory.

To conclude the ceremony, veterans present were asked to stand and be recognized for their service as their military branch’s song played, followed by a moment of silence to remember the fallen.

Patrick Reynolds served as master of ceremonies for the event.

EXCHANGE CLUB BRANCH COMING TO TROUTMAN

Cotton Ketchie will soon be holding a meeting to determine interest in establishing a Troutman Exchange Club. If interested, contact Ketchie at cotton@landmark-galleries.com.

Founded in 1911, the Exchange Club has over 18,000 members in 630 clubs in the U.S. The four pillars of the club are helping youth, promoting Americanism, community service, and child abuse prevention.

The Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman formed in 2016, and members have volunteered many hours in community food banks, veterans programs, schools, and social service programs to give back to the community in which they live.

The club supports organizations The Christian Mission, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Richard’s Coffee Shop, Pharos Parenting, G4G Ministries, Iredell County United Way, Children’s Hope Alliance, Hope of Mooresville (HOMe), and FeedNC.

For more information, visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eveningexchangeclubLKN.

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