By Marlene Checketts

Several years ago an idea surfaced to involve youth in planning and presenting a community program with a patriotic theme, being non-partisan and non-political.

The first Freedom Forum included clergy members from our community in speaking from the Roundup City Park stage about Religious Freedom. All of the clergy were powerful good speakers and portrayed a unity in our community. The second Freedom Forum presented Scott Bradley, who holds a PhD in Constitutional Law. He speaks nationwide and Roundup was on his calendar for a year before he was available.

Each of the forums have involved youth in the "work behind the scenes", and some of the program details, including leading he Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and music.

The 3rd Annual Freedom Forum 'In Defense of our Nation' was presented Saturday, June 24, at the Central Commons Center in Roundup, with the keynote speaker being Musselshell and Golden County Attorney, Adam Larsen.

Larsen spoke of being patriotic and showing it! He honored our veterans: "To our Veterans, I am honored and humbled to be among such great men and women and to have the opportunity to thank all of you who have served our country.....Your sacrifice, and that of your families, can never be overrated. Your service has helped to ensure that our children and grandchildren can continue to grow up in the land of the free and the home of the brave."

He said, "I invite you to champion the cause of religious freedom. Our society is not held together primarily by law and its enforcement, but most importantly by those who voluntarily obey the unenforceable because of their internalized norms of righteous or correct behavior. He quoted George Washington saying at his farewell address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports...Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Pat Parella directed the program, which included an invocation offered by Scott Praye followed by a brief history of the Star Spangled Banner given by Ethan Waite. The audience stood and sang our national anthem, led by Elder Bennett, LDS missionary serving in Roundup, and accompanied by pianist Cheryllyn Hagaman.

The audience was honored to hear the memories of three individuals who honorably served our country in the military. Kim Kasari shared his own experiences of many years of service. Loren Matthews read the memories of U.S.M.C. Retired SSGT. Isaac Zahn and Mary Rose Beasley read the memories of a military soldier's mother, Sharon Speiser, mother of Isaac Zahn. Their words definitely spoke of courage and sacrifice and of loving family and country well enough to serve. Zahn is quoted to have said "I count myself fortunate to call myself one of the few that took a stand for my country in its time of need, to join the ranks of the millions that have died to make this country the home of the free."

True to form, outstanding patriotic music filled the air, with Mike Morgan singing a beautiful medley of songs, including the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic,' the 'Fighting Side of Me,' and 'America the Beautiful'. He and his guitar accompanied Greg Buffington as he sang 'God Bless the USA'. Those men and their music added much to the patriotism felt there!

The benediction was offered by Pastor Shawn Berry.

The meeting was attended by Roundup citizens, including Mayor Sandra Jones. As we look forward to a 4th Annual Freedom Forum, we invite community members to share your ideas about what should be presented. Always we will have good patriotic music shared! If you have an idea, please contact Beate Frome ([email protected] ) or Marlene Checketts ([email protected].)