[New post] VFW commander: Military deaths ‘ripple through our communities’
Jeff Rice posted: "The deaths of those who have fallen in service to our nation resonate through our communities and become part of our "collective identity." That was the message imparted Monday during the Sterling Memorial Day Service led by Jake Uhrig Post 3541, Veter" Sterling Journal-Advocate
The deaths of those who have fallen in service to our nation resonate through our communities and become part of our "collective identity."
That was the message imparted Monday during the Sterling Memorial Day Service led by Jake Uhrig Post 3541, Veterans of Foreign Wars, with assistance from American Legion Post 20. Michael Stevens delivered the keynote address and followed it with a message from VFW National headquarters.
Flags for each of the armed forces fly alongside the U.S. and Colorado flags during Monday's Memorial Day Service. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Chanelle Gentry of Merino sings the National Anthem to open the VFW's Memorial Day Service Monday morning. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Michael Stevens, commander of the Sterling VFW post, delivers remarks during Monday's Memorial Day service. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Fred Kubitz lays the VFW wreath in honor of America's military fallen during Monday's ceremony. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Shell casings fly as a combined VFW-American Legion honor guard fires a 21-round salute to fallen service men and women.
Chuck Mansuetti plays taps to conclude Monday's Memorial Day service. (Jeff Rice / Journal-Advocate)
Stevens opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, followed by Chanelle Gentry's rendition of the National Anthem. Sterling VFW Chaplain Fred Kubitz delivered the invocation.
During his speech, Stevens talked about the effect on the civilian world of losing men and women in combat.
"The impact of this ultimate sacrifice ripples through our communities," Stevens said. "Service members' deaths touch more than just the lives of their loved ones and friends. When their stories are shared in our neighborhoods, our homes, out schools and our places of worship, these men and women become a part of the collective identity of our hometowns. Woven into the fabric of our country are those who died while wearing the cloth of our nation."
Stevens said the memorializing is more than just a reflection on the sacrifice, it is an action, especially in the search for the remains of those still missing or who were last held as prisoners of war.
"By continuing to look for them, we honor their sacrifice," he said.
After Stevens' remarks, wreaths were presented by the VFW and Auxiliary, American Legion and Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution's Longs Peak Chapter.
After a wreath laying ceremony, Chaplain Kubitz offered the benediction. A combined American Legion and VFW firing squad rendered a 21-round salute and Chuck Mansuetti, who played trumpet when he was in the Navy from 1958 to 1961, played a note-perfect "Taps."
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