Addressing a capacity crowd during Monday’s Memorial Day Service at the Veterans Memorial Museum, Major Marty Fields of the Air National Guard encouraged those in attendance to never take for granted the sacrifices of those serving or who have served in the military.

“And please, never forget those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me to enjoy the freedoms that we have today,” said Fields, chaplain in the Mississippi Air National Guard. “When you are there to see it directly, it will change your lives forever. It has changed mine.”

Fields returned to Laurel two weeks after a 70-day deployment to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. There Fields worked with the 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF), which transported patients from Germany to hospitals in the United States. He said his team transported more than 500 patients in 60 days.

“The experience was unlike anything I have ever done,” explained Fields. “I will never forget looking at some of them and wondering if they had any idea what they were getting into.

“Some of them signed up for the G.I. Bill,” he continued. “They wanted to go to college and because of the economy, this was their way of going. Their lives were changed forever, that is if they survived.”

Fields said that in the military there is a saying that there are no atheists in a foxhole. From what he experienced, Fields said the atheism surfacing when people are wounded or when they are dying.

“There was never resentment for their service,” said Fields. “They were angry at the enemy.”

In fact, Fields said although there were some who had some serious injuries, they still wanted to serve their country. They asked questions like, “Do you think I will still be able to go back? Do you think I will be able to wear my uniform? Will I still be able to serve?”

The hard work and dedication of those who serve in the military is something that should be appreciated by all and not taken lightly, proclaimed Fields. It upsets him to hear how disrespectful some people are when discussing the current war.

“When I hear people talk about the war like it’s some sports game, it really bothers me,” said Fields. “They say things like, ‘How well is our team doing? How many of them did we get today?

“I ask you to never think of the war in that way,” added Fields. “I hope you pray that this war and all wars will end and that you will support and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our safety.”

District Three Constable Mack Tucker said it is good to have a day set aside to honor the country’s soldiers. “We appreciate their willingness to go and fight so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have in this country,” he said. “We forget about the sacrifices so many have made for us.

“There is a war going on now and our soldiers are still dying,” he added. “We need to pray for them daily and ask for their safe return home.”

Moderator Vic Lee also encouraged those attendance to pray for the service men and women, as well as their families. He also asked people to spread the word about the museum and what it has to offer the community.

“We are here because of you,” he said. “We thank you for your continued support.”