Memorial for Lieutenant Orin Sigmon
With the background of a service flag containing 25 stars, and a brilliant gold star to the left of the 25 pointing significantly to a vacant chair in the choir, Rev. W.W. Rowe stood in the Reformed church pulpit yesterday afternoon and with tears in his voice conducted the memorial service for Lieut. Orin M. Sigmon. Referring to the lovable character of Mr. Sigmon, the speaker said he was one of the few of whom it might be said that instinctively one felt that he belonged to them and they to him, and that the sweetness of his friendship became a treasured memory and a priceless blessing through life.
It has been asserted time after time, said Mr. Rowe, that self-interest rules the world from pole to pole, and to a great extent this is true; but in Orin Sigmon’s life the exact opposite is found. He was among the first to respond to his country’s call. A great man once wrote that he is indeed great who is willing to die when life itself is at its brightest moment. Orin showed his willingness to risk his life for his fellow men, for he loved them, and showed that love on the battlefield as well as at home among his friends. Just before enlisting he said there were many who were not in a position to go. He was in such a position and would willingly and cheerfully respond to what he considered his duty.
The pastor said Orin Sigmon’s life reminded him of the story of the rich woman and her gardener. In the course of time the rich woman died and went to heaven. Having been accustomed to living in a palace on this earth she naturally expected that her home in heaven would be a mansion indeed. As she was taken around the New Jerusalem and passed palace after palace she thought each one she came to would be hers. At last she came to one of exceeding beauty, and said this is indeed mine. But no, she was told this is for your gardener, whose life upon earth has been adding brick upon brick to this beautiful structure, while your life on earth is represented in that lowly cottage you can see in the shadow of your gardener’s palatial home. That, said the speaker, is how Orin Sigmon prepared his mansion on high. His every act of loving kindness and devotion is typified and reflected in the more glorious life that has been prepared for him.
In speaking of the more noticeable features of Orin’s life, Mr. Rowe said he would sum them up as being sincerity, appreciation of friendships, devotion to his home and loyalty to his church. In the last letter to his pastor, Orin had said that he fully appreciated the many good things that the Y.M.C.A. had been doing for the soldier boys, at the same time it would never take the place of the church.
It is character that makes the man, not worldly riches, not fame. These are evanescent. Orin Sigmon’s character can well be held up as a shining example for the boys that are growing up among us. It is a legacy for each and every one of his friends he has left behind. It will be the “open sesame” for the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem.
The services ended with a beautiful solo, “Abide With Me,” sung by Mrs. J.H. Shuford.
Rev. W.R. Bradshaw assisted Mr. Rowe in the services, and the audience could feel the unexpressed thought of Orin’s comrade in life on the battlefield, his comrade in death—Chester Williams. The church was very well filled in spite of the fear of contagion through the flu epidemic. The Masons and Pythians were there in a body, as Orin’s death gave them the only gold star in their service flag.
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