Memorial Day observances in Emery County

By Phil Fauver Staff writer

Lamont Law, a Commander of the American Legion for Orangeville, said he appreciated everyone that came out to honor our veterans and our fallen dead. Memorial Day is the day when we honor our dead. This day is for the veterans, the ones that are serving, the ones that have retired and the ones that have gone on before us. That is why we’re here on this rainy morning. We appreciate the city, and all the work that has been done on the cemetery. We recognize Tom Baltzer and the Orangeville city Council for their cooperation. We appreciate our legion contingency they support us on everything we do, especially the grave ceremonies for our veterans.
Mack Huntington a former US Army Lieutenant in Vietnam was asked to speak to the group.
He started by saying it is an honor to be with you here today. “It is an honor to be here with my fellow Legionnaires and servicemen. It is fitting that we salute our fallen servicemen who have gone before us. The splendid appearance of the cemetery shows the commitment of Orangeville City and its caretakers. The ground is peaceful, serene and offers comfort to sorrowing souls. We express gratitude to the Legion Auxiliary for adorning the graves with the flowers and the bake sale. We thank the Boy Scouts of America who performed our flag ceremony today.
“The call to arms has sounded from the Revolutionary war to the present time and patriots have answered. From my service time, I can still recall some of the words of the song of the infantry. From Concord Bridge to An Khe Ridge, through the swamps and mountains and sand. They fight and die where brave men lie; against all tyrants they stand. They march by land, they drop by air, victorious they will be. Because of them in years to come, our children will be free. You can hear it in the heat of the jungle. You can hear it across the sea. It calls to every freedom loving man follow me.
“From my alma mater Fort Benning, Georgia, and infantry school another song or poem: far across the Chattahoochee to the Yucatan. Stands our loyal alma mater Benning School for boys. Forward ever, backward never, faithfully we stride, to the ports of embarkation. Follow us with pride. And since that era, perhaps other verses have been added to the song of the infantry to honor their service men and women, and the conflicts that have followed.
I am sure other service branches have songs that honor their service men and women. Patriots have always answered the call to serve. Whenever the call has come.
“As you walk through the cemetery today. Please notice the many flags at the graves so reverently placed by the Legions Women’s Auxiliary and pay a silent tribute to our fallen soldiers,” said Huntington.
The American Legion from Ferron conducted services in Ferron, Molen, Clawson and the Castle Dale cemeteries. Sam Singleton said Memorial Day is not a day of grief, but of gratitude for what the armed forces have done for our nation. Almost four centuries ago the Pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. They traveled a long way to achieve freedom. “Today we benefit from what the early settlers to our nation did for us. Many lives have been sacrificed. In the Revolutionary War there were 4,435 deaths, 2,200 in the war of 1812; 2,700 in the Indian Wars, in the Civil War-74,000 for the Confederates and 140,414 for the Union; Spanish/ American war, 2,446; World War I-116,000; World War II-405,399; Korean War-36,000; Vietnam-58,000; Iraq-48,000. We thank those this day who sacrificed for freedom.”
The Huntington/Cleveland/Lawrence Veterans held ceremonies in Elmo, Cleveland, Lawrence and Huntington cemeteries. Commander Ray Quinn conducted the services. Jennie Olson recited the Flanders Field poem. Blake Jones presented the Ragged Old Flag. He was accompanied by Eldon Holmes. The boy scouts presented the flag ceremony.