For many Americans, Memorial Day is the start of Summer – barbecues, beaches, and booze – but for those that have served in the Armed Forces, or have known/lost someone who served, today is a day of remembrance.
The Geary County Veteran’s Alliance hosted a Memorial Day ceremony at the C.L. Hoover Opera House this morning, which featured guest speaker Captain Jacob L. Lopez, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
“This day is very important and I don’t think you get a true idea of the significance of the day until you begin to serve [in the military] and you meet and know people who did give their life for this country,” said Lopez. “As we continue to have our service members in harm’s way, it’s very important that we have every American stop and reflect on the day for those who did pass on and sacrifice for the country.”
Lopez is a veteran of three combat deployments to Iraq and recently returned from a seven month tour in Korea; for him, this day hits close to home. “It seemed just like yesterday to me, and it seemed just like yesterday that soldiers that served with me were killed in action – when I was rehearsing my speech, I didn’t really feel that flood of emotions until I was speaking to veterans that served before me.”
Amongst the many attendees were veterans, family members, and community supporters.
Mary Stahl, spouse of the late William “Bill” Stahl was amongst those in attendance. “I’ve been to everyone of these [ceremonies], and my husband used to come with to these and after he passed away I continued to come. I think it’s very important to honor our veterans.”
W.Stahl was a World War II veteran who fought in the “Battle of the Bulge” and was a prisoner of war. After separating from the military, he attended Washburn University where he went on to become a lawyer in the Junction City Community for over 60 years.
Dale Curry and Robert Jackson,Vietnam veterans, took time today to remember fallen comrades.
“It brings back memories..it still hurts,” said Curry acknowledging that community support in the years since Vietnam has helped the healing process. “We never got any recognition or anything when we came home, but now with the Iraq war and everything they’re doing a lot better.”
Jackson echoed similar thoughts. “It’s important for us to come back and visit and do things like this for those that have gone before us, and the ones that still [fight on the frontlines] for us.”
Jackson said that his hope for today’s service members is that they continue to “do what they’re doing” and remember why they joined the military.
Despite the emotional remembrances of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice, the ceremony was warm with camaraderie and friendship. In the Junction City community specifically, the military is something that connects us all – whether you or a family member has served – we are united in the preservation of freedom in America.
Thank a veteran for their service, and keep our Gold Star Families in your thoughts; today is much more than swimming pools and barbecues.