CONNEAUT – The red, white and blue of the Stars and Stripes fluttered in the wind amid the greenery of summer foliage as Conneaut marked Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, with a parade, the laying of wreaths and solemn words remembering those who gave all.
Following the parade, a ceremony was held at the City Cemetery where people listened to the moving words of speakers and poignant songs.
“We are gathered here today to solemnly remember and honor those men and women who gave their lives in the service of our nation,” the guest speaker, Kevin Jury, sergeant-at-arms for American Legion Cowle Post 151 in Conneaut and a United States Marine Corps veteran, said. “They answered their country’s call, wore its uniform with pride, and they paid the highest price to defend the freedoms that we enjoy today.”
He noted that many of these brave warriors fell on the battlefield and were returned home “beneath the folds of our nation’s flag.”
“Others were lost in distant lands, laid to rest in hallowed ground near the place where they made the ultimate sacrifice,” he continued. “Far too many remain missing and presumed dead, denying their families, friends and communities the comfort and closure they so deeply deserve.”
Still others, he said, returned home bearing the visible and invisible wounds of their time in uniform – wounds that lasted months, years, even decades.
“These wounds took their toll and their lives through the gradual decline of their bodies and spirits or all too often, through suicide,” Jury said. “The wounds of the soul can be just as devastating and fatal as any inflicted on the battlefield.”
All these heroes, he said, paid the ultimate price in service to their country, and they all deserve our deepest gratitude and solemn remembrance.
“Today, as we set aside this time to reflect, let us honor their sacrifice,” he said. “Remember their valor and reaffirm our commitment to the freedoms they so selflessly defended. May we never forget them or fail to uphold the ideal for which they gave their lives.”
Throughout his time with the American Legion, Jury said he has participated in rendering honors for several hundred veterans.
“Some of those we honored were strangers to us – it didn’t matter – while others were friends, colleagues or even family members,” he said. “Just in the last three years, I’ve had the honor of overseeing ceremonies for two of my uncles and my father.”
Three weeks ago, he said, the American Legion rendered honor for one of their brothers from the Honor Guard, John Cole.
Jury pointed out that a photo of Cole sat on the far left empty chair where the Honor Guard sits.
“Because if was able, he would have been here,” he said, noting Cole’s dedication to be present at events despite the challenges he faced with illness.
“He is deeply missed. He was a great guy,” Jury said.
Michele Hall, a member of the Honor Guard, sat beside the empty chair with Cole’s photo.
She said he was a very good man.
“He was always ready to serve on the Honor Guard,” she said. She felt the void left by his passing, saying it was sad. “I’m glad we put this picture there so he’s still with us here in spirit.”
Jury said those who serve on the Honor Guard “believe deeply that every salute, every careful fold of the flag, every rifle volley and every note of Taps “is not only a tribute to that veteran but also an expression of gratitude to their families for the sacrifice made by their loved one.”
He said he is deeply honored to lead a dedicated group of men and women who share this commitment to honoring the veterans of the community.
“I am proud of the dedication and sacrifice shown by every member of the Squad,” he said. “Thank you all, God Bless. God Bless our veterans and God Bless America.”
As at each year’s ceremony, the names of the 63 service members from Conneaut who paid the ultimate sacrifice were read, accompanied by the tolling of a bell with each name.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
