The Memorial Day service at Friendly Center (always at 8:00 am at the flagpole) is a wonderful way to start the day, remembering those who paid the ultimate price to defend our country. Detachment 260 of the Marine Corps League held the ceremony and the service was well attended. Even though the event was hosted by the Marine Corps, people of all branches of the service, as well as civilians, were equally welcome. One person in attendance was Colonel Ed Welch, US Army, Retired.* Colonel Welch retired with his last duty assignment in the Pentagon, where he was a medical mobilization officer who coordinated the blood supply of military and civilian hospitals. After retirement, in Greensboro, he has volunteered at the American Red Cross blood center on Yanceyville Street. Colonel Welch is a man who gives of his time to serve whether it was in the military, at the Red Cross, or at his church, Friendly Avenue Baptist.
It is so important for us to take time out of our busy schedules to attend events like yesterday's Memorial Day service; first, to honor those who lost their lives serving our country; second, to have an opportunity to meet inspiring pillars of our community like Colonel Welch. If you have children or grandchildren, the Friendly Center Memorial Day service is a good "first event" for children. It lasts only about 15 minutes, and, if you get there early or linger, soldiers and officers are very accessible and like to talk about their military service.
In the article we found (referenced below) Colonel Welch reminds readers that, "So much of our life is dictated by the Golden Rule. The Geneva Convention dictates that a wounded combatant receive the same medical care as your own soldiers. Soldiers are people that have a job to do. They don't make the decisions. Politicians do." It is easy to dehumanize someone who is on "the other side." Colonel Welch reminds us of the importance of the Golden Rule. Most religions have some type of ethic of reciprocity. These are the kind of things you learn and think about when you meet and talk to veterans. Colonel Welch is an inspiration to us all!
Happy Tuesday!
* reference and additional information about Colonel Welch in the News and Record form 2003.
A great portrait of the colonel.
Posted by: William Kendall | Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 04:13 PM