Rain didn’t put a damper on Monday’s Memorial Day activities in Emporia at the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars building, 920 Graphic Arts Road.
The ceremony was originally was scheduled to be at the All-Veteran’s Memorial, across from the zoo. As veterans and visitors walked in the VFW hall was filled with music by the Emporia Municipal Band. It was a day to honor those lost and those fallen. Just before the ceremony started at 9:30, a military melody was played as veterans from their respective branches of service stood. It was a moving experience for many as several dabbed their eyes as the veterans stood up and the music filled the room.
Rep. Peggy Mast spoke during the ceremony and said she thought over Memorial Day weekend the people who went to the lakes had to weather some storms and experience some discomfort.
“But it’s nothing in comparison to the discomfort experienced by our soldiers,” Mast said. “We must not allow the purpose of this observance to be lost...Service men and women still fight to keep this the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Rep. Don Hill, the guest speaker, joked about sitting next to the band while he was waiting to speak. He said one of his first memories of Memorial Day was playing in the Smith Center High School Band.
“This is the closest I’ve ever to come to first chair,” he said, as people chuckled.
Hill thanked the people who have served the United States in the military.
“Because of their sacrifices and their families sacrifices, we live in the freest, strongest nation in the history of the world,” Hill said.
Hill also stressed the importance of visiting not only the All-Veterans Memorial in Emporia but national memorials. He visited the national memorials a week ago.
“Each (time) I do it is very special,” he said. “I encourage you to visit (the All-Veterans Memorial) and I know many of you do...please join me in remembering our veterans. To visit our memorial not just on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Lets bring out children and grandchildren to remember the importance of the sacrifices.”
Freedom is not free, Hill said, adding that while he longs for a peaceful world, he worries that people don’t remember the sacrifices made and there are too few willing to make those sacrifices now and too many are dying when they do.
Sen. Jim Barnett also took the opportunity to speak during the ceremony. He said the duty of keeping the country free rests on the shoulders of those who serve.
“America is a great country,” Barnett said. “America didn’t just get that way. There were a lot of sacrifices.”
It’s also the sacrifices that are being made today in foreign countries that is aiding in the preservation of freedom around the world.
“Those men and women are standing there and protecting us today,” Barnett said. “...Somebody has to stand up and take (a) stand and America has been doing that over and over...but America is also a nation of peace.”
Following the speakers, the names of the veterans who died in the last year from May of last year to May of this year were read. This year, there were 195 names.
“We all remember true friends, acquaintances and others,” said Richard McCoy, master of ceremonies. “They’ve been around a long time.”
Lt. Col. Lee Hoskins (Ret) commented on the long list of names before offering the closing prayer.
“As I listened to that long list of friends and family we realize how short life is and how quickly we fly away,” Hoskins said.