On Main Street

By Donna Dow, Program Manager

Durant Main Street

April 28, 2008

            This week, I received the greatest honor. It wasn’t an award or recognition, and it wasn’t about me. I met 25+ of the most impressive people our country has to offer and was allowed to participate in a celebration of Jason Brown’s life.

            Last week when we were preparing for Mega Bull, we received word that Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown had died in combat operations in support of Iraqi Freedom. I can’t imagine anything more devastating than losing a child, and our good friends had to face this experience. Of course, everything was suspended Thursday night to offer our heartfelt support.

Mega Bull ’08 was dedicated to Jason and his family. The night began with a tribute, and we are grateful to Aaron, John, the Ardmore Reserve unit, and Sgt. Dirks for their roles. There are ways it could have been more perfect, but I’m pleased with the balance we achieved. And I’m glad that his family was able to see how much we appreciate Jason’s service to our country.

My recent trip to Philadelphia enlightened me about the freedoms our country was founded on. This unfortunate experience brought home the reasons we are able to still enjoy those freedoms over 200 years later. Jason was a member of the 5^th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Fort Campbell Army Post in Kentucky. They fight so others may remain free.

Our military protects us in ways we can’t even imagine every day, and we should show our gratitude to the members of the service and their families more often. The people I met didn’t choose to form the military or where its stations are located; however, they did choose to serve in it. For this we should all be eternally grateful.

It was a special honor getting to know Jason even better through his comrades. They shared stories, pictures, and laughter with us all. They were experiencing their own grief, but they did everything they could to lighten the burden his family is suffering—they shared everything Jason.

Jason’s Dad said it best when he told his friends it is every parent’s dream that their child can choose a career that makes them happy. When he entered the Special Forces, it was obvious that Jason was where he wanted to be.

I would like to express my appreciation to Carla Dillard for taking care of the task of getting flags out Downtown. The business owners showed tremendous support of our military by graciously displaying our great American flag.

I hope that this demonstrated our pride in our country and appreciation for the soldiers who were in town and their families, Jason and his family, and our other troops and their families both past and present.  

These fine people allow us to enjoy such freedoms as Music on Market Square. It will begin Thursday night, May 1, on Market Square. Welton Tucker and Country Explosion will kick things off for our weekly concert series. Begin your summer by taking advantage of this freedom.

For more information, call 924-1550. We are between offices at 323 W. Main and 110 N. Second until Thursday. Check our website for more information at www.durantmainstreet.org.

For more information, e-mail ddow@durantmainstreet.org or call 580.924.1550.