Remembering Those Lost In Service To Our Country

A 21-gun salute rang out on Monday morning as the community stopped to remember those lost in service to our country.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – It’s a day to remember those service members who have paid the ultimate price.

Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day and is a day specifically for remembering the men and women who died while serving the United States.

The practice of decorating soldiers’ graves is an ancient one, and was practiced in the United States before the Civil War, but had started to organize into a common date in 1868.

Memorial Day became the common name after World War II and was declared the official name of the holiday by Federal law in 1967.

More than one million Americans have given their lives in service to the United States.

In Oskaloosa, the longtime tradition for local Memorial Day services start with the opening National Anthem performed by the Oskaloosa City Band and sung by Allison McGuire.

The flag raised over the ceremony was in honor of ASCS Fred Bridges, U.S. Navy (retired).

The invocation was given by Jerry Blanchard, Chaplain for American Legion Post #34 and V.F.W. Post #2237.

Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt welcomed the community gathered inside Harry L. Anderson American Legion Post #34. Attendees were there versus the picturesque Forest Cemetery due to the ongoing rains impacting the area.

“Because of their valor, we live in freedom, and enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity,” said Krutzfeldt of the sacrifices made by those who have served.

“In one of his speeches, Ronald Reagan made the comment that an odd thing happens when we honor those who died in defense of us. Our imagination plays a trick on us because when we think of soldiers, we think of those around us, and we first see them as mature and experienced. But most of them are quite young when they died,” Krutzfelt said.

“Young soldiers, when they are killed give up actually two lives. The one they were living, and then the one they would have lived,” Krutzfeldt continued. “When they died, they gave up their chance to become husbands and fathers, perhaps wives and mothers, to experience the joys of family. To grow into respected elderly. They gave up everything for us.”

“So our instinct is to show appreciation, but there’s really nothing we can do,” Krutzfeldt continued. “So we honor their memory by occasionally thinking of them, and we live our lives well. We hope that they would be pleased with the way that freedom continues as a result of their sacrifice. Beyond the soldiers, we’re also grateful for the families who have given us their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters, moms and dads. We recognize the sacrifices they’ve had to make to keep things going, without their loved ones. Because they too lost a life that could have been.”

The keynote speaker for the service was Fr. Tom Spiegel, who is an ordained Catholic priest who began his work on June 3, 1967.

Spiegel also served as a chaplain for the Iowa National Guard with the 224th Engineering Battalion from 1970 and the US Army Reserve beginning in 1987. Spiegel retired in 1999 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

“I’m honored to be here with you today, commemorating those sacrifices that these men and women have laid down their lives in service of this nation,” said Spiegel. “I think that today, not only do we recognize, but that we continue to pray. We pray for them and their families.”

A moment of silence was then observed for those soldiers and their families.

Spiegel talked about the bonding that takes place among veterans. “It’s deeply felt.”

“When I’m at a committal service at the cemetery with family and friends of a parishioner, and also a veteran, well, I get excited,” Spiegel said. “Because I know that those veterans who are with us, who will honor their loved one, with that right of farewell. Believe me, there’s no one who does that better than the veterans from our Oskaloosa community.”

“My hope is that we keep our men and women in the military and the sacrifices that they make close to our hearts today, and for the days throughout this year. It is their immense collective sacrifices that have helped us keep our country safe and free,” said Spiegel in closing.

Joe S. Crookham then read the report of graves registration, speaking the name of all veterans who have passed away during the past year.

After the benediction by Blanchard, the Veterans Salute took place as the rifles rang out behind the Legion building. Taps closed out the service and many then shared a meal at the Legion Hall.