“This is just like Sunday dinner at Mama’s house,” said one soldier as he heaped the mashed potatoes upon his plate, then ladled gravy over the potatoes and chicken.
“Look at that ole’ sawmill gravy - that’s what I’m talking about,” another exclaimed.
As the nearly 50 soldiers devoured their home-cooked lunches, city clerk Sandy Button welcomed them to Pea Ridge.
Standing in for Mayor Jackie Crabtree who was in Little Rock at an Arkansas Municipal League meeting, Button said: “You guys make it possible for us to sleep under a blanket of freedom every night.”
Button told the men and women of the city’s ordinance requiring streets to be namedafter combatants in the Battle of Pea Ridge and of the annual Mule Jump in October. She presented First Sgt. Tim Hairston with a copy of the ordinance and a Mule Jump T-shirt. Hairston presented Button with a commemorative coin as he thanked her, the city and the Ministerial Alliance for the warm welcome and the lunch.
Sgt. 1st Class Forrest D. Bradford of Smyrna, Tenn., surprised Button with money, which Button said she would give to the Ministerial Alliance to continue the lunches for soldiers.
“They are from all over. They’re active military but are recruiters for the Army National Guard,” Hairston said of the soldiers who had spent the morning in training exercises as part of the Senior Leadership Course at the Pea Ridge National Military Park. They are stationed at Camp Robinson. Hairston said the soldiers study various aspects of the battle and each has to make a presentation either on a participant, tactics or some other aspect of the battle.
As Carol Ash and others bagged the leftovers for the soldiers to enjoy on their bus ride back to Little Rock, they were met with warm smiles, handshakes and effusive gratitude.
The next lunch is scheduled for the first of March, Mayor Crabtree said. He explained that the event began when he was eating at a local restaurant and noticed soldiers disembark from a couple of buses and walk to several restaurants.
“Of course, we stepped back to let them go first,” Crabtree said, remembering that event nearly a year ago. “We started visiting with them and found out theywere at the park (PRNMP) for a training exercise.
“Ron Shultz was with me and he said wouldn’t it be nice if we could do something for them,” Crabtree said, adding that he made inquiries and thus began the Soldiers’ Lunch now hosted in the community room of the Pea Ridge EMS Building. “Anyone can help,” he said, asking that anyone wishing to help in either cooking or serving the lunch contact a member of the Ministerial Alliance.
SOLDIERS ROSTER
Staff Sgt. Angel Alvaraz, Calif.; Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Anderson, Miss.; Staff Sgt. Ashley Azzalina, N.M.; Sgt. 1st Class Forrest D. Bradford, Tenn.; Staff Sgt. Rhiannon J. Brown, Calif.; Sgt. 1st Class Michael G. Canaday, Okla.; Staff Sgt. Scott E. Cook, Wis.; Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Danao, Wash.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. Dow, Ariz.; Staff Sgt. Alexander G. Eisman, Calif.; Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Fazende, Miss.; Staff Sgt. John P. Gimeno, Colo.; Staff Sgt. Frieda M. Gonzalez, Calif.; Sgt. 1st Class Daniel L. Henderson, Ala.; Sgt. 1st Class Brooks D. Johnson, Mass.; Sgt. 1st Class Wondel L. Johnson, Utah; Sgt. 1st Class Christopher B. Jones, Ky.; Staff Sgt. Jacob P. Key, N.C.; Staff Sgt. Young W. Lee, Calif.; Sgt. 1st ClassJohn W. Lewis,Va.; Staff Sgt. David A. Linsenbigler, Pa.; Sgt. 1st Class Brocrick L. McCall, Ala.; Sgt. 1st Class John C. Michael, Miss.; Staff Sgt. Fred C. Mize, III, Tenn.; Sgt. 1st Class Roger L. Moss, Texas; Sgt. 1st Class Johnny L. Palmer, III, Ore.; Sgt. 1st Class Joel A. Pitsch, Mont.;
Sgt. 1st Class Robin H. Rivera, Texas; Sgt. 1st Class Noah J. Ronquillo, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Khan Sandor, Calif.; Sgt. 1st Class Patrick N. Scarfo, Pa.; Sgt. 1st Class Ryan N. Smart, N.C.; Sgt. 1st Class Judah M. Smith, Miss.; Sgt. 1st Class John R. Stuart, Iowa; Sgt. 1st Class Johnny C. Suggs, Miss.; Staff Sgt. Stephen Valdez, Texas;
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher S. Watson, Texas; Staff Sgt. Joseph F.Wysock, Wash.;
Sgt. 1st Class Charles A. Young, N.C.
Winter Raptors hike set
DIAMOND, Mo. - George Washington Carver National Monument is hosting a birds of prey program at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. The program will feature an indoor slide show presentation followed by an outdoor bird hike with the park biologist. Bring binoculars and warm layer of clothing.
The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Mo., on Missouri Highway V, then 1/4 mile south on Carver Road. Forinformation, call the park at 417-325-4151 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Quilting offered
BUNKER HILL, Mo. - The Bunker Hill Quilt Club is hand-quilting for the public. People interested, may stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. any Thursday to ask about quilting. There are several baby quilts and a larger quilt for sale, as well as other handmade items.
For information, call Bunker on Thursdays at 223-5555 or Linda at 223-4684.
Cassville Senior Dance
CASSVILLE, Mo. - The monthly Cassville Senior Center dance is from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Cassville Senior Center, located at 1111 Fair Street, Cassville, Mo.
Featured is the Roaring River Sounds Band. There will be a $4 cover charge, with all proceeds going to benefit the Senior Center. Finger foods are welcome.
There will also be a dance Saturday, Feb. 4, at the senior center.
For information, call 417-847-4510 or 417-847-0131.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Wednesday, Jan. 18
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Seligman, Mo., Senior Center, donation lunch; for information, call Jo Ann Corn at 662-3749.
Thursday, Jan. 19
6:45 a.m. breakfast and 7 a.m. meeting - Pea Ridge Optimist Club, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church; for information, call Sandy Lasater at 903-6795.
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Jr. Girl Scout Troop No. 5780, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.
7:30 p.m. - Garfield AA, Brightwa ter Methodist Church. Open meeting and no smoking; for information, call 359-3734.
Friday, Jan. 20
5 p.m. - TOPS Club of Pea Ridge, Autumn Village; for information, call Becky Warner at 359-3764.
Monday, Jan. 23
7 p.m. - Seligman Chamber of Commerce, Seligman, Mo., Community Building; for information, call 417-662-3611.
Tuesday, Jan. 24
6 p.m. - Pea Ridge Historical Society, Pea Ridge Museum (former EH building) at 1451 N. Curtis Ave.
7 p.m. - Seligman, Mo., Lions Club, Community Building; for information,call 417-662-3600.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
10 a.m. - New Meadowbrook E.H. Club of Garfield, First Baptist Church of Garfield.
◊◊◊
Editor’s note: To submit items for the Community Calendar, e-mail [email protected], mail to The Times, P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, Ark. 72751, or call 451-1196.
News, Pages 1 on 01/18/2012