by S. Rotan Hale
On a picture-perfect day (weather-wise), Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home held its Annual Memorial Day Celebration Monday, May 27 in the chapel at the facility on Moorman Rd. NW.
Now in its 21st year, the service has been a ritual of peace and comfort for the many who have attended over the years.
On program speaking for veterans, was Minister James Lark, a retired Army Veteran who addressed the crowd in a regimented style. Lark enlisted in 1978 and spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1982. He served another four years in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) and then transferred to the active duty Ready Reserves component during which he trained soldiers for 20-years.
“I taught soldiers, I was an expert in first aid,” he said. “No I didn’t go to war but I taught soldiers that went to war.” Lark said he was assigned to ready the soldiers who were deployed to conflicts in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I put that uniform on for 28 years,” he added. “Now I wear a different uniform for God Almighty.”
No memorial service of this type is complete without uplifting music, such of which was provided by vocalist Bernadette Jones accompanied by Deron Lark on piano.
Grief is an inescapable human emotion that can become overpowering with devastating consequences. That is why grief therapists like Gloria Manns are so important in certain situations.
As one of several speakers on program, Manns covered issues regarding the importance of taking care of veterans as many bring the horrors of war back home with them.
“We think about counseling as being for other people but it’s for us too,” said Manns. “Grief counseling is not only just for death but for any of the other losses that we experience in our lives. It is truly not a sign of weakness.”
Featured as main speaker for the service was Bishop Jamaal L. Jackson of Refresh Church ministries. His spirited message, based on Psalm 23:4, was impactful while emphasizing strength through having “something or someone to lean on.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” Many will attest to this passage as one of the most popular verses in the Bible.
“I love the Psalms because they’re full of people crying out to God from all kinds of circumstances… pain and turmoil,” Bishop Jackson proclaimed through a bold and inspiring confession. His message and his use of Psalms aimed straight for the heart and spoke most appropriately to those who came in need of solace.
Closing the program was Michael Hamlar who took the opportunity to officially announce the retirement of Harry “Duke” Curtis.
“Though the funeral home has been going through a transitional period I assure you (the public) that business here will continue as we have for 67 years,” said Hamlar who also praised the third and fourth generation as ready to carry on the partnership that has made Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home a trusted household name.
The program closed with a gesture of allegiance, as all veterans in attendance were called to the front and a final salute to their service was made.
