BY STACI WILSON
A bell was sounded Monday in a ceremony held in Great Bend marking service members who have died in the past year.
Memorial Day is more than a time for barbecues, picnics, celebrating the unofficial start of the summer season and a three-day weekend from work.
It’s a day for contemplation, said Lou Brotzman, vice-commander of Musa-Stiles VFW Post 6223 in remarks made in ceremonies held Monday.
Members of the Post 6223, along with American Legion Post 357 and the auxiliary units hosted ceremonies in Hallstead, New Milford and Great Bend on Monday.
Brotzman said Memorial Day is a day to recount the contributions of those soldiers who were lost; pay tribute to them and honor the bravest of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. “We remember them today,” he said. “They were real people.”
In Hallstead, a U.S. Army veteran spoke of her service in the 1970s, when she was asked to help deliver a notification of kin to a soldier’s family.
Members of Musa-Stiles Post 6223 and American Legion Post 357, joined by auxiliary representatives and Boy Scout Troop 89 lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Memorial Day ceremony held Monday in Great Bend. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
“We’re here today to honor the soldiers, but let’s also remember the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice,” she said.
Meghan Merritt sang the National Anthem at the start of the three ceremonies. Music was also provided during the ceremonies by the Blue Ridge High School band.
Wreaths were placed at monuments in Hallstead, New Milford and Great Bend.
Evelyn Woolbaugh, of the Ladies Ausiliary Post 357 read the poem, “In Flanders’ Fields” at the closing of the ceremony in Great Bend.
A bell was then struck – nearly 30 times – each ring marking a service member that died since last year’s Memorial Day observances.
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