RO pays tribute to fallen
Members of the community paid tribute to the nation’s veterans at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Evergreen Cemetery Monday, May 29.
The event was coordinated by the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor. The ceremony began with a concert of patriotic music from the Red Oak High School band, and an invocation was performed by the Rev. Ron Bupp of the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak. Boy Scouts of America members Isaac Hidalgo, Zane King, and Brayden Sego led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Court of Honor Chairman Clint Rubey served as the master of ceremonies, and thanked the city of Red Oak for their cooperation in helping to coordinate the event. Court of Honor member Jerry Hansen dedicated flags, including those dedicated to veterans who passed away last year.
Wreaths were placed by representatives of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Court of Honor members Al Meyers, Larry Barnett, Clyde Sellers, Bob Fensterman, “Pete” Peterson, and Dean Strovers provided the rifle salute, and band members Liam Eubank and Austin Lowe played “Taps.”
The guest speaker for the event was Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard. Ernst said it was a great honor to be asked to speak and honor the family members of veterans who had lost their lives in wartime and passed away in peacetime. While noting Americans across the nation would gather with friends and family to celebrate the beginning of summer, it was also important to honor the day’s intended purpose.
“It’s okay to remember the American dream, but we also must take the time to commemorate the service members and their families who have sacrificed their lives, or their loved ones, in defense of our freedom,” Ernst said.
She added that since the mid-19th century, Iowans have donned the country’s uniform and gone to faraway places to fight and support American interests.
“Sometimes, they never return. They have served with distinction as soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and with the Coast Guard in each of our nation, from the Civil War, to the war on terror. Stories of Iowan bravery, selflessness, and heroism are interwoven throughout America’s military history,” said Ernst.
Ernst described some of the Iowans who lost their lives defending the nation, including the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, who died during WWII, Junior D Edwards of Indianola, who lost his life in the Korean War, Donald E. Paxton of Cedar Rapids, and Laurent Gourley of Villisca, who were both lost in the Vietnam War, and James Kearney and James Skalberg, both of Emerson, who were lost during the war in Afganistan.
“I know we won’t forget these brave young men, and their families will always feel their loss. We honor them today. These stories remind us of the sacrifices Iowans have made for more than a century to help pave the way for peace and prosperity here at home. Since 2003, 98 Iowans have lost their lives in combat. These family members never forget, and neither do their military comrades who fought alongside them. Today, I hope we can all pause and remember those who gave their lives. We can all be thankful for their sacrifices, and grateful for the freedom and future they have provided us,” Ernst said.
Clint Rubey closed out the ceremony hoping that they could bring even more members of the community to the event to honor the nation’s veterans.
“We know as time goes on, we will be honoring more veterans, particularly those still in active duty and in harm’s way. We need to thank those people in uniform. Our armed services are manned by volunteers, people who stood up and were brave enough and thoughtful enough of country to say they were going to put on the uniform,” Rubey said.