They gathered in the Mountain View Cemetery Monday to remember.
As a light breeze stirred the fabric of American flags planted at the graves where veterans had been laid to rest, the VFW Post 2601 and American Legion Post 32 led their annual Memorial Day ceremony in front of a crowd of more than 100 people.
“Let each of us remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice for that is the true purpose of Memorial Day,” said Leon Bartholomay, quarter master and adjutant for VFW Post 2601.
The ceremony at Mountain View marked the final of three ceremonies hosted by the VFW and American Legion Post 32 on Monday. Residents were also welcome to attend services at Stephen Day Park and the Foothills Gardens of Memory, where they could honor veterans with a wreath-laying ceremony, posting of colors and prayer.
American Legion Chaplain Ronald Wunsch, who served as an active-duty chaplain in the Army for more than 22 years, addressed the crowd Monday.
He explained how the holiday, originally called Decoration Day, got its start in 1868 three years after the end of the Civil War. Congress in 1971 officially designated the last Monday of May as Memorial Day. Starting in 2000, a national “moment of remembrance” was established on the holiday, asking people to formally observe their own a moment of respect for those who died.
“We Americans are so busy and so forgetful that we need an act of Congress to remind us to remember,” Wunsch said.
He encouraged those listening to honor veterans every day through their actions. They can do so, Wunsch said, by advocating and voting for veterans’ benefits, joining veterans’ service organizations and taking time to thank a veteran for their service.
Standing among the graves and spread out in folding chairs across the cemetery grass, those gathered in front of Mountain View’s Civil War statue for the ceremony also spoke about remembering sacrifices.
Longmont resident Deanna Andrews wore a U.S. Marine Corps shirt gifted to her by her nephew, Cameron Hutson at his retirement ceremony. Andrews said that the true meaning of the long weekend is often lost.
“It seems like Memorial Day is all about picnics and fun and all that, but we should kind of be humbled (and realize) that it’s not so much of a celebration,” Andrews said. “We should think of those people (who gave all) and their family members and what they’re going through.”
Andrews’ father, 95-year-old Arthur Gaschler, served in World War II and the Korean War. He attended the ceremony with Andrews and his wife, Madge Gaschler. Coming to the ceremony on Memorial Day is a 50-year tradition for him, he said. They all noted that seven of their family members are actively serving.
When asked why he attended the ceremony Monday, William Metzler pointed to his black ball cap, which recognized him as a Vietnam veteran. Metzler, a Longmont resident, served from 1968 to 1971. He said millions died “to protect our country” and democracy.
“I’m here to honor all veterans, regardless of where they served, because all veterans, male or female, are all brothers and sisters,” Metzler said. “We all served. That’s what’s important.”
Sitting by his side Monday was his wife, Cheryl Metzler, who said she’s been coming to Mountain View Cemetery to pay graveside respects to veterans since she was a child growing up in Longmont.
“Say thank you to a veteran all the time when you see one,” she said.
