Citizens asked ‘How will you use your freedom?’ at Geneva Memorial Day ceremony

GENEVA – The impact of veterans on the community was highlighted during the Geneva Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25, at Evergreen Cemetery.
The remembrance began with a parade featuring veteran organizations and their auxiliaries, the Geneva High School marching band, safety forces and Scout troops.
The ceremony began with Geneva Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6846 Commander Joe Mattern reading Gen. John A. Logan’s General Order No. 11, which designated May 30, 1868, as a day to decorate the graves of soldiers who died defending the Union during the Civil War, encouraging citizens to place flowers or other tokens of respect on their graves in cities, villages and churchyards across the United States.
“We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, ‘of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.’ What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms,” Mattern quoted. “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds.”
What was known as Decoration Day later became Memorial Day, a day to honor and mourn all U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Also speaking at the ceremony was the Rev. Gary Lehr, who gave a prayer, and Geneva Business Association President Amanda Briggs de Lavini, who spoke on the impact of veterans on the community.
Briggs de Lavini co-owns Darkroom Brewery, which neighbors the VFW Post.
“While I do not have military service, I wanted to speak to you this Memorial Day on the impact of veterans on our community, from the lens of a small business owner,” Briggs de Lavini said.
She continued, “It’s not lost on me that the sacrifices of the men and women in the Armed Forces have allowed me the liberties to operate a small business in a free country. That’s something that’s definitely not afforded to everyone in this world, and most certainly not afforded to women. My freedom is a gift, and today is a reminder not to waste what has been given.”
Briggs de Lavini said the first week Darkroom Brewery was open, a group from the VFW came over and introduced themselves and quickly got to work to see what beers they could offer in their canteen.
“They made us feel immediately welcome and continue to be regulars at our bar,” Briggs de Lavini said.
The American Legion also welcomed them with open arms, inviting them into the Post and donating historical objects for their photography displays.
“Getting to know the local veterans have allowed us to see all the community services they provide, from building ramps for disabled members to providing military honors at funerals to showing up at every single parade and donating to every local act,” Briggs de Lavini said.
She challenged her fellow business owners and citizens with this question: “How will you use your freedom and how will you honor the fallen who have made this possible?”
Also as part of the ceremony, in the tradition of the Geneva Memorial Day service, representatives of veteran organizations and their auxiliaries placed wreaths at the memorial at Evergreen Cemetery.