Andover Memorial Day Pictures

Each year a service is held at the Common in the center of Andover to Honor Veterans who have served in the armed forces and are from Andover. Some pictures of one of the services are shown below. There are 4 different Memorials on the Common that list the names of people, from Andover, who have died or served in the different Wars.

This is also the day where people place lots of flowers and decorations on the gravesites at the cemetery.

In Memory of those who have died for us serving our Country and thanks to those who have served and are still serving now.

War Memorial Stones on Common in center of town. If you would like to read the names on these memorials, just click on the pictures for a magnified picture.

I thought the true story below was a fitting one for Memorial Day.

Subject: A school teacher in Arkansas

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned..

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.

Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans.

Memorial Day 2009

Below are some pics of the Memorial Day Ceremonies held at the common. The ceremonies were hosted by Freeman Farrington & The Lodge (I believe). Prayers and remarks were given by both Pastor Jean & Pastor Wagstaff. Ceremonies were delayed a bit as Pastor Wagstaff got lost on his way uptown. There was a good group of Veterans present. Taps was played by Chris Mills? (I believe and I apologize if name is misspelled) Keith Farrington lowered the flag during the flag ceremonies. The only minor drawback was the loud speaker system. It may be time to look into a different one. The weather was incredibly nice. Refreshments of coffee and doughnuts made by David White were available at the Town Hall after the ceremonies ended.

Veterans Group Shot.

Lowering the Flag Ceremony.

The Swain Family left to right Robert Swain Sr., Ross Swain, Robert swain Jr., and Rodney Swain and the old car that used to be owned by Robert Swain. Sign on front bumper that says Andover WWII Vets.

The sweet Old Antique Car in the picture used to belong to Robert Swain Sr. He sent me the following information about it:

"I bought the old 1932 Pontiac car from Ernie Combs, the original owner,
for $150 in 1959, when I was in about the eighth grade. Saved up the
money by selling a beef cow and her calf, and by selling the "Grit".

It's my understanding that Robert graciously gave the car to Scott Farrington, probably because he knew he would appreciate it and take good care of it. Scott uses the car to drive some of Andover's elderly around during Olde Home Days, Memorial Day, Birthdays, and other special events like this.

Civil War Memorial- click on the picture to read names

World War 1 Memorial- click on the picture to read names

World War 11 & Korean War Memorial- click on the picture to read names

Aug. 1953- June 1974 Memorial- click on the picture to read names

Simons family gravestone in Andover Cemetary

Simmons Family Gravesite

This is a family gravesite, Dad is buried here along with other members of the Simmons family. Gravesites are cared for and decorated with flowers to commemorate Memorial Day and remember loved ones that have passed on.