Memorial Day Service Helps Us Remember The Sacrifice
The Memorial Day Parade took off from the American Legion Post on it's way to Forest Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Monday
Memorial Day, or as it was known some time ago as Decoration Day, is a time that we remember the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make for us and our country.
Forest Cemetery played host to a crowd of over 100 that was on hand to honor our heroes that have paid the ultimate price, including those we have lost most recently.
Members of the Oskaloosa Legion, and others including the public, started the morning off at 9:30 a.m. with a parade from the American Legion. The procession then marched its way to Forest Cemetery where they held a service honoring their brothers.
“This is one of those places where I try not to have a huge amount of prominence; it’s all about them today,” said Mayor Krutzfeldt of his participation in the days ceremony.
Fred Bridges opened the days ceremony with the raising of the flag at the Veteran’s Monument. The flag was in honor of Michael Ver Steeg and was accompanied by a flight of F-16 fighter aircraft as they traveled from West to East. Andrea Dursky sang the National Anthem while it was played by the Oskaloosa City Band.
The Boy Scout Troop 77 led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Dave Childers of the Oskaloosa Nazarene led the Invocation.
Active Duty Members took part in the ceremony today, along with those of previous wars.
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt started off those speaking with a welcome message and a few words. “Today we stop to think about those who have sacrificed for their country.” Krutzfeldt went on to quote some portions of Gen. George S. Patton’s famous speech from June 5th, 1944.
Memorial wreaths were placed by Mackenzie Marks and Alyssa Cooley for the American Legion Junior Auxiliary Unity #34, Abby Vroegh for the V.F.W Auxiliary Unit #2237 and Devan Welch for the D.A.V.
Oskaloosa Middle School Assistant Principle Mike Dursky read the Order of the First Observance of Memorial Day by General John A. Logan.
The Oskaloosa City Band played “God Bless America” while Andrea Dursky sang. Mike Dursky then stepped up to introduce the keynote speaker of the days ceremony, Colonel Patrick Michael Coen, U.S. Army Retired.
Colonel Patrick Michael Coen, U.S. Army Retired, was the guest speaker at today's Memorial Day Ceremony
Colonel Coen spoke of not forgetting the family members who also sacrifice when their family is gone serving. “When I came home from Desert Storm, and got off the bus in Burlington, Iowa, out of the crowd came my grandmother. Her knees buckled, she was crying, she fell onto me, and I had to hold her up. And I thought, ‘Grandma, what’s wrong? I’m just coming home.’ The thing I’d forgotten was that her 3 brothers did not come home. On December 7th, Pearl Harbor was bombed; on December 8th, they enlisted. And of the 8 [brothers] that enlisted, 3 didn’t come home.”
Colonel Coen went on to share some stories of those he has served with in combat during his time of service in the U.S. Army. He described them, their bravery, and their service to their country. “The reason I told you these stories [is] because I wanted you to be reflective. I wanted you to think about your neighbor. I want you to think about the guy who lives down the street.” Coen spoke about thinking of the huge sacrifices made by those in service during the different wars. “Think about that shrill whistle of Chinese Infantry pouring over the mountain to come and kill ya. You gotta stand your ground. There’s no where to go, you gotta stand and fight. There’s men here today that did that; they’re part of your community, they’re your neighbor. They’re here in Oskaloosa, folks,” Coen said of our heroes that live among us every day.
A salute to those who have gone before.
Next was the report of graves registration, read by Joe S. Crookham.
“God Bless our Fallen Comrades. We have assembled here this morning to honor the life and the military service of our departed comrades who rest in this holy ground here at Forest Cemetery. When asked to serve in the armed forces of this great nation, they did so with pride and honor. And now they have joined the ranks of the Supreme Commander of the Universe, God Almighty, and when they march their footsteps make no sound. Neither words nor tears will bring back the sound of their voice or the touch of their hand, for this has been instilled by our Heavenly Father.”
The ceremony closed with a 21 gun salute and the playing of Taps.
The benediction was given by Pastor Dave Childers.
Naval Vet Robert Allender served in the Pacific. Allender was a Petty Officer for SONAR that detected submarines, and is representative of the many vets that were on hand for the days ceremony.
A member of the Oskaloosa City Band plays TAPS at the end of the Memorial Day Service at Forest Cemetery
Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Floyd Everett says that, for him, Memorial Day means, “I have family throughout the cemetery that all served.” He went on to say, “If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where your going. And every year it seems like the crowd gets a little lighter, and it concerns me from that aspect. We got a whole new generation of vets coming home that are going to need to be helped and the only way you can do that is if your community actually supports the things like this. If they’re not willing to come to this [service], how are they going to help some of these kids coming home.”
Everett spoke about it only taking 5 days to get home from combat and how support for those returning is so very important. “It’s a real sticker shock, especially living with Iraqi’s, and for me that is where I lived; with them,” Everett said of his transition to civilian life.
“If we don’t honor it, it will fade away,” Everett said of what appears to be shrinking attendance to ceremonies like today’s. “It’s hard to get people to think about; it’s unpleasant. We’re an instant gratification society. When they sit in their living room, can sit in the air conditioning and can watch it on TV, rather than come out, this is the big deal to me. Cause I hope some day, somebody comes and reads my name and there’s enough people there to say ‘Oh, I knew that guy’. They’ll be doing it for my father and my brother,” Everett said of the sacrifice made by our armed forces.
The Avenue of Flags was partially damaged by the storm that came through the area on Sunday. The Legion will be looking and hoping for donations to help replace flags and flag polls.
Osky News would like to thank all members of the armed forces who served our country, past and present. May God bless you all.
