More than 75 Clark County residents were in attendance Monday morning at the annual Memorial Day ceremony held on the courthouse lawn.

The program included the Posting of the Colors from Arkadelphia High School JROTC and songs from a talented Georgina Battle Wright who wowed several in attendance with her vocals.

The Arkadelphian photos | Joel Phelps

Col. Phil Foster touted the many accomplishments of JROTC and doted on the students who are part of that program. Doyle Sharp of the American Legion listed the names of all Clark County veterans who have died in the past year, adding the list seems to grow every year.

The guest speaker was retired Col. Thomas Blackerby, a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University. Blackerby’s speech touched on the history of how families received the news of their fallen loved ones and the once drawn-out, painful process that started with a telegram notifying the family of the death, to the eventual letter informing them of the location of their burial site.