VFW Post 8925 of Del Valle/Pilot
Knob sponsors this event each year at the Cook-Walden Forrest Park
cemetery in Oak Hill. I drove myM38A1 and Herb T drove his
GPW.
The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance. An
introduction of the VFW post board members was done and each read
a short prayer followed by the placing of an item on a park bench
in memory of the sacrifices made by service men and women.
Next, a reading of the General Order of 1835 was read declaring
Memorial Day. A gun salute and playing of Taps rounded
out the event. Afterwards, cookies and refreshments were
served by representatives of Cook-Walden.
After the ceremony, the WWII veterans gathered around Herb's
GPW for a photo and all post-war (Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm)
gathered around my M38A1 for a picture as well.
I try not to interject political views on this website but I've
decided to change that approach on items I view as critical to our
organization and society. A topic of significance noted was
the fact that the majority of people in America now view Memorial
Day as simply a day for the lake, a day off from work, or a day to
bbq and get drunk. This is a sad reflection on the
sacrifices men and women have made through the years for our
freedom. If only we could begin to change the attitudes of
those who take for granted what it really means to be free and to
really understand the sacrifices (ie people die) made by our
service people, can we appreciate what we have... Come on
people, 450,000+ US men and women died in WWII alone. Show a
little respect. Fly a flag, thank a vet, do something that
matters...
