'Every day is Memorial Day'
KEITH COUSINS/Staff writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 10 months AGO
<p>Javin Keough, 6, left, and his cousin Gregory Bauerle, also 6, fold their hands while participating in the prayer at a Memorial Day ceremony at Hayden City Hall on Monday.</p>
<p>Margaret Ogram, with American Legion Post 143, performs “Taps” on the bugle in honor of soldiers who died in the line of duty.</p>
HAYDEN - Idaho National Guard Staff Sgt. Ryan Rogers told more than 100 people at Hayden City Hall on Monday that his thoughts on the meaning of Memorial Day were forever changed on July 7, 2011.
It was on that day that the former Marine and then National Guardsman witnessed two of his brothers in arms, Spec. Nicholas Newby and Spec. Nathan Beyers, make what he called the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq when their convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device.
"Not a day goes by that we do not remember those two," Rogers said. "So although for some Memorial Day is the day to remember those who have fallen, every day is Memorial Day in life of a combat veteran, a gold star family, or a friend of those we have lost."
Rogers was the guest speaker at the Memorial Day Remembrance Celebration put on by the city of Hayden and the Veterans Commission. The event featured the singing of the national anthem by David Sheldon and the reading of more than 200 names engraved in the PFC. Robert J. Gordon Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Ronald McIntire, the mayor of Hayden, welcomed honored guests and attendees to the ceremony at city hall. During his brief speech, McIntire discussed how Memorial Day came to be, and the importance of educating the next generation on its meaning.
"May I suggest that in abiding by the purposes first established with the creation of Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, that we always remember the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy today," McIntire said. "This also implies a responsibility to teach our children about our veterans, so that they too can comprehend the cost of freedom."
McIntire mentioned how Memorial Day has become more synonymous with barbecues and camping than actually honoring veterans, and asked the crowd if "we as a society have our priorities straight."
"My deepest gratitude goes out to those that are here today because you get it," McIntire said.
Prior to the ceremony at city hall, a smaller number of people gathered at Honeysuckle Beach. Members of the United States Submarine Veterans, Farragut Base, held a ceremony honoring more than 4,000 service men and women lost at sea.
"The names of each of the submarines lost will be read out loud to remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe to both former and current submarine personnel," Jerry Parker said to attendees. "We shall never forget the ultimate sacrifice they made."
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