Fayette will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, on the south side of the courthouse lawn by the Veteran’s Memorial.

The service will begin with music from Pastor Jamie Page and opening statements from Barbara Comegys, Vice Regent of the Howard County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The local Boy Scout Troop #62 will raise the flag, and the Howard County American Legion Post 273 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. James Briggs from the First Baptist Church in Fayette.

A highlight of every Memorial Day service is the presentation of the Quilt of Valor from the Peacemakers Quilters to a local veteran. This year’s recipient is Master Sergeant Bennie L. Morrow.

Members of the Howard County DAR will lay a wreath at the Veterans’ Memorial, and veterans attending the service will be recognized by branch. Rev. Page will perform additional patriotic music throughout the ceremony.

The Memorial Day ceremony is free, and the public is asked to attend and pay tribute to our veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Master Sergeant E-8 Bennie L. Morrow

Master Sergeant Morrow enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. Upon completing his training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. While aboard the Lexington from 1968 to 1971, he served as a logistics supply sergeant and aviation storekeeper. His duties included ordering fuel and parts for the aircraft as well as maintaining flight gear and equipment. On his second tour of duty from 1971 to 1973 he was deployed to the Naval Base at Rota, Spain, as fleet support in VR-24. Bennie was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1974.

In 1978, he joined the Missouri National Guard 128th Field Artillery unit as AGR (Active Guard Reserve) headquartered in Mexico, Missouri. His duties there were as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and as a unit supply sergeant. He later transferred to the Missouri National Guard based in Centertown, Missouri, as a member of the Inspector General’s Office. Once again, he transferred to the Headquarters 70th Troop Command as Brigade Senior Supply Sergeant N4 NCO.

From 1995 to 1999, Bennie attended the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, Texas, as a member of the resident class 44 Group 24. This Academy is the top training academy for NCOs, and their attendees include future Rangers, Deltas, and others from all branches of service and from all over the world. Bennie states the high point of his career was attending and graduating from the Academy. He also says the low point was being discharged from the Army before his promotion to Sergeant Major I came through. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 2000.

Bennie dearly loved his military career, where he met many great people, both civilians and service. One highlight while he was attending the Academy was that he completed a 10-mile run with the Sergeant Major of the Army. While still in the Navy, he recalls a humorous occasion when he was called to the Chaplin’s office. The Chaplin stated he had received a letter from Bennie’s mother concerned that he was not writing home to her. As he was leaving the office, the Chaplin asked him where he was going, and Bennie replied he was going to write to his mother.

For his years of service Master Sergeant Morrow received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (4), Army Components Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4, Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. He also received a 20-year Ribbon awarded through the AGR system. And he received a Desert Runner Certificate for logging in 300 miles while attending the Academy.