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Last Updated: Aug 22, 2008 - 12:10:50 AM |
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The list of names was long. As Victor Legion post commander Gary Rhinehard read on, I was struck by how such a small town could have given so much. Many of the surnames were common - and are still heard frequently today. Some are long gone - but they are not forgotten. None of them have been forgotten. They are the fallen soldiers from this area - the fathers and sons, brothers, sisters and daughters.
The handouts detailing the history of Victor native-son, Rear Admiral Albert Sackett disappeared quickly. Commander Rhinehart said that he underestimated the community support. Well over 100 people turned out to hear the Rear Admiral speak - and to hear the names of the fallen read out loud.
Unlike my previous experience covering Memorial Day ceremonies, this wasn’t an exercise exclusive to the elderly, those with experience and deep memories. In Victor, families and children were in attendance as well. The HLV band performed to perfection on what should have been a day off leading to an endless summer for the young people. But they were there - and they seemed to perform with a clear understanding of the importance of the day and their role in it.
It isn’t hard to believe that Rear Admiral Sackett is a man accustomed to and comfortable giving orders. It isn’t hard to see how such a man could be the first person ever to climb through every rank to reach Rear Admiral. He spoke of his experience in war - he enlisted in 1937 - and he spoke of his concern about our nation, our soldiers and our children in today’s war. His words carry the weight of 61 years of service - while he may have retired in 1977, he did not retire as an American. He stands tall today as a role model - an inspiration in a world with few such men remaining.
To me, Memorial Day isn’t only about those who have fallen. We can and we must remember each and every one of them. But we can do more than that. We don’t have to silently offer a posthumous thank you to those who are gone - we can say show our gratitude to those who remain. The veterans who put their lives on the line to defend our nation are still among us - they were seated in uniform in the first row of the ceremony, they were scattered among the audience, they are in the grocery store and in the house just down the street. We can remember them today - we can thank them for their selfless acts of devotion to freedom and to our nation.
Like Rear Admiral Sackett, they do not attempt to glamorize war — they know all too well the horror of it. For many veterans, those were the “good old days” only in the sense that they were young and had the whole world before them. But few would argue that war was something pleasant. That was obvious in the Victor Legion Hall on Monday - the loss could be seen in faces and in eyes streaked with sadness - the ghosts of tears that had fallen over the decades but are still fresh in the mind.
On this page is a commentary by Eric Baerren entitled, “Why I’m Not a Fan of Memorial Day.” I published the commentary because Baerren has a point - too often the blood of our fathers is used to promote a political position or agenda. Supporting our troops is more than slapping a yellow magnet to the back of your car - it is ensuring that none of them are ever lost in vain. We can support our troops by never sending them into harm’s way unless there is no other alternative - the young people in service are our nation’s future - they must never be sacrificed.
As Commander Rhinehart continued reading names, I wondered what it would be like had they not given their lives. They could have fulfilled their dreams, they could have enjoyed their children and grandchildren - and how many of those children do not exist because those who would have been their parents never came home? We have lost so much.
And then I began to wonder, what if they had not given their lives? Would we still be here? They gave their last full measure of devotion to protect our nation - that is, to protect you and me. They put their lives on the line and we are here because of them.
Their names should never be forgotten - nor should the names of any veteran that currently lives among us. Utter a silent thank you for those who are gone, offer a handshake and a greeting to those still among us.
Although they likely expect nothing, it is the least we can do.
© Copyright 2008 by The East Iowa Herald
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