Paul Sullivan, sitting in his wheelchair with wife Gladys by his side, saluted when taps filled the air at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

The veteran fought back tears when he spoke of those he served with in the Marines and a plane crash that killed 17 “in one fell swoop.”

“I remember a lot of guys,” he said, pausing, unable to finish the sentence, then finding a few words. “I lost a bunch.”

Under beautiful blue skies, thousands gathered at cemeteries throughout Kootenai County on Monday, Memorial Day. There were speeches, songs and salutes. And flags. So many of Old Glory flapping in the wind, at Forest Cemetery, at Evergreen, Pinegrove, Greenwood and Pleasant View.

Men, women and children recited the Pledge of Allegiance. They held their hands to their chests. They bowed their heads in silence. A few cried.

There were veterans, joined by family and friends, and many community members, who came out to remember those who died serving their country.

“Memorial Day is a day of reflection for those of us who served who did make it home and that was only by the grace of God,” said VFW 889 Post Commander Robert Martin, who led the morning ceremony at the Veterans Plaza at McEuen Park. “To the families who grieve on this day for the ones they lost, I’d say God is there watching them now. They’re with God and we all pray for them every day.”

He was pleased by the crowd of a few hundred.

“It’s good to see the folks come out here and support us,” Martin said.

Retired USMC Lt. Col. Kenny Moore was the keynote speaker. The Hayden man earned two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star and served three tours of duty with the Marines in Vietnam.

He told the crowd they were the beneficiaries of the sacrifices of many military men and women. And thanks to those sacrifices, he said Americans today have abundant blessings and unequaled opportunities. Most attend school, have jobs, homes, regular meals and health.

“Young people out there, you have the opportunity and the ability to excel in life and to make your dreams come true,” he said.

Moore said he has been in more than 120 countries.

“Not one, I repeat, not one, has the opportunities you share here today,” he said.

“We have them because our ancestors fought tyranny, crushing taxes, slavery, injustice, and the kingdoms of this world to make a place, a new place, where opportunity, equality and sacrifice have produced a country that’s totally unique in this world.”

The United States, Moore said, is a republic founded on the word of God and the blood of patriots.

“Today, we honor their sacrifices, both great and small,” he said.

Veterans Pat Shelly and Dennis Watson carried the wreath to the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Shelly set it in the water and gave it a push as a crowd watched.

After they saluted and turned away, a woman in tears approached them.

“Thank you,” she said, offering a quick hug.

The men were touched.

“An awesome moment,” Shelly said.

Army veteran Randall Beat played taps.

“It’s great here in Coeur d’Alene because we have so many people who come out and actually see the ceremony,” he said. “We enjoy what we have and one of the things we have up here is a community that cares.”

Retired Lt. Col. John Mangan gave a brief speech at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, where hundreds of flags decorated the grounds.

He spoke of past wars and said “Millions of Americans have fought and died on battlefields here and abroad to defend our freedoms and way of life. Today, our troops continue to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Many are following in the footsteps of a generation of brave Americans who served their country, Mangan said.

“Men and women have been answering the nation’s call to duty so we can live in freedom,” he said.

Mangan added that, “If those who paid the ultimate price could talk to us today, they might remind us to hold close to our hearts the cause for which they died.”

Early in the ceremony, Karen Wambolt of Rathdrum and Julia Mangan of Coeur d’Alene stepped in when some confusion arose over who was bringing the wreath to the front. Both women quickly responded to the question of “Where's the wreath?” and took a long walk across the green grass to retrieve it and put it in its proper place.

“She did it,” a smiling Wambolt said after the event, looking at Mangan. “She said, ‘You and I, let’s just go. I don’t see anybody moving.’ So we just walked down there.”

Both women are with the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and their husbands are veterans.

“They say within a generation freedom can be lost and that is really kind of terrifying for me right now. I’m 73 and I can see it,” Julia Mangan said. “We’re watching our freedoms kind of just ebb away and nobody’s saying anything.”

She said on Memorial Day, she thinks about those who fought and died in wars, many at a young age with their entire lives ahead of them.

“To see what they went through, they were young,” she said. “We’re talking 22, 23, 24, we’re talking their whole life. I think about that. It’s sad. I’m happy my husband is still here."

At McIntire Park behind Hayden City Hall, about 150 people gathered in shade and sun for a 45-minute ceremony that included Ashley Cleveland presenting a powerful rendition of the national anthem.

“I am grateful for the reminders that this day brings to me and to my soul,” said Mayor Steve Griffitts.

Retired Major Christina Kirkland carried the flag as she led the Color Guard.

“It’s such a great privilege," she said. "It’s a great privilege."

Guest speakers John and Stacey Holley talked of their only son, Matthew Holley, who died 16 years ago on a dusty street in Iraq when the Humvee he was in exploded when it hit an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol.

“That day, four young men lost their lives for the cause of freedom. Not so much for ours, but for people they barely knew,” John Holley said.

His son, he said, wanted to “serve a cause greater than himself” and chose to be a medic so he could help others who were hurting.

At one point, John read “Matthew’s Prayer,” written by his son in 2004, when he was just 19, before he joined the military. As he struggled to finish it, his wife stepped closer and placed her hand on his back.

In the prayer, Matthew Holley wrote in part, “Lord, some things in life are unrevealed. Some things are never to be known."

“I thank you for the blessings and gifts you have bestowed on me, even if they are unrevealed to me," John Holley said, finding the strength to finish his son's prayer.

“That is the true heart of a warrior,” John Holley said.

He looked out at the crowd as he offered his final words.

“So let every enemy, foreign and domestic, know whether it wishes us good or evil, that we shall pray any price, and disobey any unlawful order in defense of our liberties and the Constitution. 
To our fellow veterans, remember your oath. To all, respect the flag.”