By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Two of the highest-ranking people in the military of the United States were visitors to Forrest City today, as the Secretary of the Navy and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps were the guests of East Arkansas Community College and the Forrest City School District.
Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Alford McMichael began their visit at Mustang Arena. Students and the general public were in attendance.
After welcomes and introductions, England spoke briefly, before introducing McMichael as the main speaker.
England said he is proud of the young men and women of the U.S. Navy and marines.
"As secretary of the Navy I do get to travel around the world," he said. "I've been aboard aircraft carriers, where men and women not much older than the young men and women here, are launching our airplanes for missions over Afghanistan. I've been on amphibious assault ships, with young men and women -- our Marines -- checking their weapons as they get ready to go to Afghanistan. I've been down in nuclear submarines -- young men and women, again not much older than you here, taking care of our nuclear reactors and our Tomahawks and all the systems. I've been up to New York City to Ground Zero, where our reserves are helping to clean up and rebuild. Everywhere I have been, great young people from America are out there doing great things."
He said they are carrying on a 226-year tradition of defending the country.
"I could not be more proud," he said. He added that one extra reason to be proud is his relationship with Sgt. Major McMichael.
"When I went to Washington, I asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps how the Marine Corps works. He said, 'Listen. Whenever anybody wants to know whether to go left or right, the first thing to do is check with the Sergeant Major.'"
McMichael, a native of Hot Springs, talked about the importance of having faith, discipline, a positive outlook, and citizenship.
"Citizenship is what helped me arrive at the place I'm at today," he said. "You can't move forward without building respect. You can't do those things without a positive attitude, and citizenship is the first step."
He said he is one of 10 children and grew up in a three-bedroom home, and said he did not have a dad. However, he said he did not want to give the impression that he was going to say he came from a dysfunctional family or a broken home.
"Let me set the record straight. I didn't come from any of those things. First of all I may not have had a daddy in my home, but I had a Father every day. And my mom was strong enough to get me to understand to call on that Father. She taught us to say, 'Our Father who art in Heaven.' And that Father has never left us homeless or penniless or without shelter," he said.
He said they were not a broken home because everyone was close. "We were so well connected. We didn't have time to pull from each other. We were far from being a broken home."
He said his faith in God is what has carried him through.
After the speeches, England and McMichael participated in a dedication ceremony for the flag and flagpole outside the arena.
The Forrest City Mustang Band performed during the program, and the FCHS Navy Junior ROTC presented the colors and acted as an honor guard.
The "Star Spangled Banner" was sung by Ann Siglin.
A Forrest City man is charged with driving while intoxicated after fleeing from police who were working a safety checkpoint Friday night on Barrow Hill Road.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department reported Michael Johnson, 42, 345 SFC 333, Forrest City, was traveling on County Road 311 just before 9 p.m., when he saw blue lights at the checkpoint. According to the report, Johnson turned his vehicle around and attempted to flee.
Deputies pursued Johnson's truck until he lost control of the vehicle, traveled about 250 feet through some woods and struck a vacant house owned by Rush Harris.
Damage to Johnson's vehicle is estimated at $5,000. Damage to the house is estimated at $15,000.
Johnson was reportedly injured in the accident and taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released for head injuries.
Johnson is charged with no driver's license, second offense driving while intoxicated, careless or prohibited driving and fleeing.
A garbage bag containing a meth lab was seized during a traffic stop west of Palestine Saturday night.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department reported a 1975 Chevrolet pickup driven by Richard N. Barnes, 34, 156 SFC 718, Forrest City, was stopped for speeding by an officer with the Palestine Police Department about 11:15 p.m. on Highway 70 West.
According to a sheriff's department report, a traffic check revealed Barnes was wanted on warrants for Poinsett County. During the stop, police noticed a strong odor coming from the bed of the pickup and found a small amount of methamphetamine in Barnes' cigarette package in his shirt pocket. Police said the meth lab in the garbage bag was still smoking when they opened it.
The couple had their two-year-old child with them at the time of their arrest. The child, according to police reports, was released to its grandparents.
After searching the truck, deputies and Arkansas State Police obtained consent to search the couple's home where they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to the police report.
Barnes and his wife, Cheryl Barnes, 28, 156 SFC 718, Forrest City, were arrested on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unlawful container, possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture ephedrine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Forrest City School Board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 Tuesday evening in the administration building.
Board members are scheduled to recognize some outstanding athletes during the meeting.
The board is also scheduled to hear an update on the junior high building project.