Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — May 26, 2025 — The weather didn’t stop the Jonesboro community from remembering those who have fought for our country.
The Craighead County Veterans Monument Foundation (CCVMF) held its Memorial Day ceremony Monday at a different location this year: the quorum court in the new courthouse annex. It was originally going to be held by the Doughboy statue outside the Craighead County Courthouse, but the chance of rain in the forecast forced the foundation to change plans at the last minute.
President Rich Norris said they chose the quorum court because everything they needed for the event was already there, including audio equipment. He added it would also be able to seat everyone in attendance.
Norris said times like Memorial Day are important because it helps people understand the sacrifices that have been made to protect the country.
“It’s not one of those things that you’re really thinking about, because like I said in my speech, a lot of us thought we were bulletproof,” he said. “When you get into the fray, that ain’t the case no more, and you understand the frailty of life, yet you’re still willing to carry on with the mission you’ve been trained to do.”
Veterans from several wars, including the Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, were in attendance. They served in the U.S. Army and Air Force, among other groups. Norris recognized them war by war, with specific veterans standing up when their war was called.
As a retired Army Major, Norris worked on helping other veterans in life, whether through getting them a job or into therapy. He said Monday’s speech is something that anyone can relate to, not just those who have served, emphasizing that “we’re just not a bunch of thugs.”
“We have gone back to the places that we destroyed to help them build back better. It’s a compassionate thing that we do,” Norris said. “We are human beings, and once you strike a chord that stays with them, whether it hits on their heartstrings or their minds, that’s where I get my inspiration.”
During the ceremony, Norris read off some of the Craighead County veterans’ names that were put on bricks to be added to the foundation. These are placed in May and November in honor of those veterans and can be bought throughout the year.
Another way the foundation honored veterans was through the book “Veterans of Craighead County, Arkansas,” which was on sale at the ceremony. It contains a brief bio of veterans in the county as well as their names and pictures. Norris said Danny Honnoll, historian and communications officer for the CCVMF, was in charge of the project and had help from the public when writing the book.
The ceremony also included prayer, a singing of the “National Anthem,” and “Another Soldier’s Going Home,” and it was capped off by playing “Taps.”
Norris said he hopes with events like these, younger generations will see the steps society has taken to get to where it is today and not take luxuries for granted.
“They can go where they want to, they can do what they want to do,” he said. “Try to do that in some other countries, [they] can’t do it. That’s what our blood has been shed for, is to keep those freedoms intact, because that is what we do: Protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
To buy a brick to honor a veteran, click here or call 870-635-1241. Information on buying “Veterans of Craighead County, Arkansas” can be found by clicking here.