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September 1, 2017 - Iraq War veterans were honored during a program hosted by VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary held at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on August 31, 2017.
The program was opened with a prayer led by Cynthia Islas, Post Chaplain. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, reminded everyone the Iraq war began March 20, 2003 and continued until August 31, 2010.
"It's been seven years since the end of hostilities and our duty as fellow citizens and veterans is to insure this piece of history and sacrifices are never forgotten," said Hume.
Hume stated during the over seven years of the Iraq War 4,486 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice, including U.S. Army Specialist Larry E. Polley, Jr. in January 2004.
"Larry graduated from Center High School in 2001 and was 20 years old when he was killed in action, and many more Americans suffered wounds and losses of limbs in that war," said Hume.
In attendance of the ceremony was Iraq War veteran Michael Shane Fenley. Hume explained Fenley served in Iraq in the United States Army 10th Special Forces Group Airborne.
"He joined the army in September of 2005 and served until March of 2009, and during that time he deployed to Balad, Iraq during 2007 and his service there earned him the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal," said Hume.
According to Hume, Fenley is married with three children and has lived in Center his whole life with the exception of his time in the service. He works for Ivan Smith Furniture. His grandfather Dewey Eugene Fenley was also in the U.S. Army from1960 to 1963.
Presenting Fenley with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the post was Gene Hutto, Post Commander.
The certificate read as follows: "This certificate of recognition is proudly presented to Michael S. Fenley, United States Army. He took freedom to a distant land and gave hope to a world oppressed, we will never forget your service and sacrifice."
Fenley then hung the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial in honor of all who served in the Iraq War.
"Today we gather to remember all the fallen comrades and those who served in the Iraq War. Many served more than one tour, not only in Iraq but Afghanistan also. As we always say, sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance, and the core members of our VFW post and Auxiliary will never forget, or let the general public forget, who is mostly uninterested. We will never let them forget," said Hume.
Taps was played as presented by Mike Langford, Past Post Commander.
