For most of us, the moments we will remember forever are rare. Two Natchez natives had such a moment last weekend.

On Saturday morning, Larry Bass and Lynn Delaughter stood in the same spot where many presidents have stood to honor the men and women who have served our country. The two placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery.

Their gesture was dedicated to the alumni of Natchez High School. And it all began several years ago.

“While taking a tour of Arlington Cemetery with a friend, I discovered that one of my favorite actors, Lee Marvin, was buried there,” explains Natchez native Larry Bass, who currently lives in Baltimore. “I found his grave site and was also surprised he was PFC Lee Marvin and had elected to have the customary standard military head stone.”

Marvin’s grave was just down a hill from the Tomb of the Unknown, Bass said.

“We overheard the placement ceremony of a wreath,” he said. “I inquired at the help desk and discovered there are many organizations that choose to place wreaths at the tomb.”

Last year Bass talked about the experience to another Natchez friend, Derrell Netterville.

Netterville, who served two tours of duty as a medic in Vietnam, suggested that Bass apply to place a wreath at the tomb. After filling out some paperwork, Bass’ application was approved.

Bass asked Delaughter to participate in the ceremony because “of my respect for his accomplishments and my appreciation for his friendship.”

The two first met at Braden School in about the fifth grade, Bass said. Delaughter now works at the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife in Washington.

“The wreath is a symbol of the appreciation we all have for those who have served our country and perished while on that duty,” Bass said. “It’s also for Lynn Delaughter, Derrell Netterville and Pat Mulvihill.”

Mulvihill is a Vietnam veteran and one of Bass’ childhood friends.

“I last saw (him) in a Naval hospital in Philadelphia, just after he had both legs amputated from injuries in Vietnam,” Bass said. “I visited him there and witnessed his bravery as he told his mother and an official representing his command, ‘We did OK, and don’t worry, I will be fine.'”

“I couldn’t hold back the tears as I drove back to Baltimore,” Bass said.

“The wreath is also for Jerry Lofton, my only classmate to be killed in Vietnam – a tall country boy with a heart of gold,” Bass said. “It’s for Robert Eidt, John Stevens, Henry Watts and all my friends and fellow classmates that have served their country proudly.

“It’s also for my great uncles who served in World War I and World War II, my uncle Vernon Smith, who served in World War II and my uncle Curtis Adams, who served in Korea.”

“The wreath is all inclusive, not exclusive. It has no prejudice, not black, not white, not religious and without concern for national origin,” he said. “It represents all who served and all who served the ones that served.”

After placing the wreath Saturday, Bass said he looked out over the scene – the big tomb, the Capitol dome, the Jefferson Memorial – and one thought struck him.

“One by one, I started thinking of all of those people,” Bass said. “I just started thinking of all of those people.”

Kevin Cooper is editor of The Democrat. He can be reached at (601) 445-3541 or by e-mail to kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.