We Stop To Remember All Those Who Died For Us
Veterans march into Forest Cemetery on Monday, May 28th, 2018 for Memorial Day.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Many older Americans still call it by its original name, Decoration Day, a tradition that started after the Civil War.
It’s that day we all stop, come together and remember those service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
That day is now known as Memorial Day after being designated a federal holiday, and in 1968, Americans celebrated the newly renamed holiday.
The flag raised over the day’s ceremony was in honor of Airman First Class Rod Langfritz, who passed away July 12, 2017. Langfritz was an active member of the American Legion, where he served as commander for two years.
The Oskaloosa City Band, with the vocals of Allison McGuire, lead in the National Anthem for the flag raising.
Jerry Blanchard, Chaplain of the American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post 2237 lead the crowd in prayer.
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt spoke next, welcoming the crowd on behalf of the city. “It’s a privilege to welcome you all to this Memorial Day observance. Memorial Day is a time designated for the remembrance of over one million Americans who served in the armed forces and have lost their lives. Those who joined the battle for the cause of freedom at home and around the world. And because of their valor, we live in freedom and enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity.”
Krutzfeldt read an excerpt from a speech delivered in 2010 by then Lt. General John Kelly, in which he described a 2008 suicide bombing in Iraq that killed two Marines.
That speech is available here – https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/everybody-should-read-general-john-kellys-speech-about-two-marines-in-the-path-of-a-truck-bomb
Six Seconds to Live outlines two Marines, Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, 22 and 20 years old respectively, one from each battalion, on watch together at the entrance gate of an outpost that contained a makeshift barracks housing 50 Marines.
“Minutes later, they were staring down a big blue truck packed with explosives. With this particular shred of hell bearing down on them, they stood their ground.”
“Heck, they even leaned in,” eulogized Kelly of the two Marines.
He delivered this touching tribute to those Marines just four days after the death of his own son in combat.
The keynote speaker of the day was Lloyd Mietzner. Mietzner was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 and completed basic at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Mietzner also attended Non-Commissioned Officer Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Mietzner landed in Vietnam in March of 1968 where he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Division as a platoon sergeant and later a platoon leader.
Mietzner saw considerable action in Vietnam and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.
Mietzner ended his time with the Army, achieving the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant in 1969.
In the record May heat, Mietzner took to the podium saying, “You guys think it’s hot here don’t you. When I stepped off the plane in March of 1968 at two-o’clock in the morning, it was 95 degrees. So live with it.”
“Thank you for being here today. I’m deeply honored to stand with you, commemorating the sacrifice of those military men and women who have laid down their lives in the service of this nation,” said Mietzner.
Mietzner recounted how Memorial Day got its start from the days when both sides of the Civil War would decorate the graves of those lost in that war. ‘It was initially known, and I know it as, Decoration Day.”
“Major General John A Logan, then the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternity organization for the Union Veterans, designated May 30th, 1868, for the celebration of Decoration Day,” said Mietzner.
“In 1968, then President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who sent me my draft notice, signed into law the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established the national observation day, Memorial Day, on the last Monday of each May,” explained Mietzner.
“I would like to take a moment and acknowledge anyone who lost a loved one in the line of duty to this country. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed. No words of condolence can ever begin to adequately console a survivor’s grief,” said Mietzner. “While grief from loss may change throughout the years, it never leaves us.”
Mietzner remembered his loss while in combat on May 31st, 1968. “Tony Hill was killed right beside me with the two bullets that were meant for me. So I remember him very well.”
After a firefight in the jungle in 1969, Mietzner said that, “Larry Don Welsh is still missing in action or a POW. He was a sergeant in my platoon. I think it is important, never to forget.”
“When their country called, they answered. Some volunteered, and some were drafted. It don’t matter how they found their way to the ranks of the military,” said Mietzner.
Mietzner, speaking of family and friends that survive the loss of a loved one, “Nothing can fully prepare a survivor for the knock on the door.”
A report of those veterans who passed away during the last year was read by Joe S. Crookham.
Blanchard lead the group in the Benediction, and a Veterans Salute was made. 21 shots rang out and echoed through the small valley at Forest Cemetery.
TAPS, with its haunting echo, sent those gathered home, reflecting on the price that was paid for freedom.
Lunch was then served at the American Legion for everyone.
