Read the full article on KETV 7
Gone but not forgotten.The Council Bluffs community held a Memorial Day program at Bayliss Park for those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.READ MORE: Dozens gather at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor those who served and sacrificedFamilies behind the ceremony said it’s important to remember those who are no longer with us.One day a year service members are honored for their ultimate sacrifice, but people who participated in the ceremony find a way to honor them every day and tried to convey that message to the young people in the crowd Monday.Service members; “They died so you could have this one whole year free. Now can’t you save this one day for me?” Captain Brad Powell, American Legion Post 2 Honor Guard, said reciting Jim Rolfes’ “Come visit My Grave” poem.Families of those who sacrificed; “Why do you look so sad? Our children are free. You should be glad,” Powell continued.American Legion members; “For many of us, this day hits close to home. It’s personal. It lives in the empty seat at the family table,” Commander Patty Holeton, American Legion Post 2, said in her speech.And community gathered to remember fallen soldiers; “Remembering is not automatic. It takes intention. It takes effort. It requires us to speak their names,” she said.For some people like Patty Raymer, a member of the American Legion Post 2 Auxiliary, it’s routine.“Our poppies, when we get donations, goes back to our veterans to provide what they need,” Raymer said.Her family’s tie to the military spans generations. She tries to keep her 18 grandchildren involved in the remembrance.“Over the years, we were always involved in some way in the Legion family,” she said.Holeton honors through service. “I will continue to serve until I can’t,” she said.The American Legion Auxiliary president and two American Legion riders laid a wreath at the flag poles.“It’s just the solemn moment of the quiet stillness and laying the wreath,” Legion rider Phillipp Sollars said.Scott Kvammen and Sollars hope young people learned something from the ceremony.READ MORE: The origins of Memorial Day and how it has evolved“This is just a good reminder, an educational experience of what we have done, our sacrifice,” Kvammen said.Sollars said, “It’s just remembering the ones that didn’t come home and the sacrifice. The generation doesn’t know now what that was all about.”So they can carry the traditions forward.“Hope all veterans are treated this way on this day to remember Memorial Day,” Powell concludes the Rolfes poem.To wrap up the ceremony, they asked all the men and women who served to stand up and be recognized.A moment filled with cheering and clapping to honor those who died for our country and for those who came home.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Gone but not forgotten.
The Council Bluffs community held a Memorial Day program at Bayliss Park for those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Advertisement
READ MORE: Dozens gather at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor those who served and sacrificed
Families behind the ceremony said it’s important to remember those who are no longer with us.
One day a year service members are honored for their ultimate sacrifice, but people who participated in the ceremony find a way to honor them every day and tried to convey that message to the young people in the crowd Monday.
Service members; “They died so you could have this one whole year free. Now can’t you save this one day for me?” Captain Brad Powell, American Legion Post 2 Honor Guard, said reciting Jim Rolfes’ “Come visit My Grave” poem.
Families of those who sacrificed; “Why do you look so sad? Our children are free. You should be glad,” Powell continued.
American Legion members; “For many of us, this day hits close to home. It’s personal. It lives in the empty seat at the family table,” Commander Patty Holeton, American Legion Post 2, said in her speech.
And community gathered to remember fallen soldiers; “Remembering is not automatic. It takes intention. It takes effort. It requires us to speak their names,” she said.
For some people like Patty Raymer, a member of the American Legion Post 2 Auxiliary, it’s routine.
“Our poppies, when we get donations, goes back to our veterans to provide what they need,” Raymer said.
Her family’s tie to the military spans generations. She tries to keep her 18 grandchildren involved in the remembrance.
“Over the years, we were always involved in some way in the Legion family,” she said.
Holeton honors through service. “I will continue to serve until I can’t,” she said.
The American Legion Auxiliary president and two American Legion riders laid a wreath at the flag poles.
“It’s just the solemn moment of the quiet stillness and laying the wreath,” Legion rider Phillipp Sollars said.
Scott Kvammen and Sollars hope young people learned something from the ceremony.
READ MORE: The origins of Memorial Day and how it has evolved
“This is just a good reminder, an educational experience of what we have done, our sacrifice,” Kvammen said.
Sollars said, “It’s just remembering the ones that didn’t come home and the sacrifice. The generation doesn’t know now what that was all about.”
So they can carry the traditions forward.
“Hope all veterans are treated this way on this day to remember Memorial Day,” Powell concludes the Rolfes poem.
To wrap up the ceremony, they asked all the men and women who served to stand up and be recognized.
A moment filled with cheering and clapping to honor those who died for our country and for those who came home.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
