The aging pastor of Lakota Community Chapel is an American veteran, and proud of it. 
Yet he never flaunts himself or his own service. Rather, he chooses to continue to serve his country by first serving God, and then taking God and His Son Jesus to his country, including the reservations where Lakotas are also proud of their veterans' service in the different wars.
We watched this humble servant of God and servant of his country pray, speak, honor our flag, and smile this Memorial Day weekend, a weekend that is passionately and unwaveringly celebrated in this neighborly community.
First, Pastor Ambrose led the Sunday service behind flags at Lakota Community Chapel, sharing from the gospel of John, reading a poem and a reading, and praying.
While he often struggles to speak well now and his voice needs a microphone to carry at all, his prayers are heartfelt and meaningful. He was the pastor asked to have both opening and closing prayers at the Memorial Day service conducted at the school Monday. He was also responsible for the prayer a few blocks away at the veterans' memorial at the cemetery.
He led in prayers of thanks for those who have gone on before and for the freedom we enjoy because of their sacrifices. And he always finished his prayers with rejoicing in the Lord.
A seven-gun salute was fired by members of American Legion at the veterans memorial. My camera wasn't cooperating for a better picture.
The women's auxiliary for the American Legion had created these patriotic wreaths for this year's occasion. I couldn't help remembering the many times my original Morley family sang and played bells for American Legion groups in Pennsylvania or Florida. We shared the gospel in song and testimony along with patriotic songs.
Now 40 years later, I attend a packed-out band room where Pastor Ambrose leads in prayer and later leaves after the potluck meal to head to a family cemetery on the reservation where he was also asked to pray as the family remembered an Lakota family member who had died only weeks ago.
Those here in White River in attendance brought in dish after dish for a potluck meal. We took BBQ pork ribs and deviled eggs while others brought many other dishes, including a whole table of desserts like rhubarb pies, a staple this time of year!
It's a treat to be involved in a patriotic community here in South Dakota.
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