Recently Madison County decided all by themselves to cut down all the shade trees that for years stood sentinel duty beside the monuments to the county war heroes. I stood under their shade on many Memorial days, that is where the SCV holds their annual Memorial day celebration. Two linger in my mind as very special. One of those special Memorial days, a very good friend stood at the podium in his WWII uniform, he was a member of Patton’s army, and told his war experience under the shade of those maple trees. Last year, a family friend’s name was added as the newest member from the County to lay down his life for his country, the ceremony on a very hot day, with relief from the heat found in the shade of the trees.
Now, like my friends, the trees are gone.
Their service over, and like my family friend cut down in the prime of his life. I understand the trees belong to the County, and it is their responsibility to maintain the property. Change comes hard, and sometimes seems senseless.
The courtyard now stands empty, the monuments alone in the hot sun.
