Ceremony honors those who gave all

Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and those who have served in the Global War on Terrorism (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria) stood as the story of a lost comrade from their war was read. Many tears were shed at the standing room only event in Placerville.

The following is the script as read during the ceremony: 

REMEMBER AND HONOR: A History of Memorial Day

Between 1861 and 1865, during the Civil War, the United States experienced approximately 700,000 military casualties – the largest and deadliest conflict in US history.  

In early May 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, a veteran’s organization – called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) – led the call for the creation of Decoration Day, as a national holiday to remember and to honor those who had given the ultimate sacrifice. 

The Commander-in-Chief of the veterans organization, Major General John A. Logan, ordered that the veterans detachments should decorate the graves of the Civil War dead and urged that “[w]e should guard their graves with sacred vigilance… and [l]et no neglect, nor ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

On May 30th, 1868, the first large observance of Decoration Day was held in the Arlington (National) Cemetery, whereby the ceremony was centered around the veranda of the Arlington Mansion, which was once the former home of General Robert E. Lee. The ceremony was presided over by General U. S. Grant, which included speeches by veterans and other various Washington officials. 

After the speeches were concluded, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and Union veterans made their way through the Arlington Cemetery placing flowers on both Union and Confederate soldiers’ graves, while reciting prayers and singing hymns. 

By the end of the 19th century, throughout the nation, Decoration Day ceremonies were being held on May 30th; however, it was not until after World War I that Decoration Day started to gradually evolve into Memorial Day and was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. 

In 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday by an act of Congress and placed on the last Monday in May.

The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found in annuals of antiquity. The Athenian leader Pericles (P air - ee k- lees) offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the ancient Greek War fought between Sparta and Athens, over 24 centuries ago. This honoring of fallen heroes is likewise applied today to remember and honor over 1.1 million Americans who have died in our nation’s wars, over the past 250 years.

Today, we gather here at this beautiful monument, to remember and to honor all of those who have served the cause of freedom. Memorial Day is a time to reflect, to think about those we have lost in this life and to honor them with our memories and reflection. 

Thus, we have asked five (5) speakers representing the five major conflicts since WW2, to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, a costly reminder that freedom isn’t free because our fellow citizens have paid for it with their lives. They will also remember them by saying a name or two of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

We say their names to remember and pay tribute to those who have died because it has been said that a warrior can die twice – once when they take their final breath, and the second time is when someone says their name for the last time. 

So today, by the saying of their names, we guard with vigilance, to remember and honor the many Americans lost, and to keep those memories alive with us by saying their names, lest they die a second death and we forget what it cost to keep a free and undivided republic. 

We ask that as these wars and the names are read, that you also participate by silently reflecting in your mind a name or names of those that you would remember and honor today.

WORLD WAR II

Today, we remember and honor those who died in World War Two, a conflict that involved almost every part of the world. On December 7th, 1941, a day that would live in infamy, the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan at Pearl Harbor, where 2,403 Americans would lose their lives in the opening salvos of war. By the end of the War, an estimated 405,399 would make the ultimate sacrifice. To keep their memories alive, we will say the names of two Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thus, it is my privilege today to remember and honor:

Pvt Lupe Turey – 120th Engineer Combat Battalion, 45th Division, United States Army. My Great Uncle, and the baby brother of my grandfather. KIA 18 October 1944 – buried at the Epinal American Cemetery, France.

KOREAN WAR

Today, we remember and honor those who died during the Korean War, a conflict that was fought on the Korean Peninsula between 25 June 1950 until an armistice was signed on 27 July 1953 – no peace treaty exists still to this day. Instead, a 2-1/2 mile wide Demilitarized Zone was established along the frontline – creating a frozen conflict – a “police action” as some would describe. For those that fought, few would describe it as anything else but War – to the many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines the experience was brutal and unforgettable. Thus, to keep the names and memories alive of the estimated 54,246 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice – it is my privilege today to remember and honor:

My Great Uncle: PFC Richard Whalen, 71st Heavy Tank Battalion, killed 6 August 1950, near Kumchon, North Korea. Age 20

My Great Uncle: Flight Lieutenant Patrick O’Leary killed in a dogfight over Dunkirk, 27 February 1943. Age 22

My Uncle: Army Sgt. Bruce E. Johnson killed in a fragmentation attack in Vietnam, 13 April 1969. Age 21

My 1st Cousin: Marine Sgt. Michael D. Johnson died of complications from airborne contamination and PTSD symptoms from combat service in Desert Storm, 19 November 2021. Age 57

VIETNAM WAR

Today, we remember and honor those who died during the Vietnam War – A war that was never declared by Congress, however, has been officially listed as ongoing fighting from 1 November 1955, until 30 April 1975. For the many Americans who served in Vietnam, they experienced a war that few would talk about upon their return home and even less words were said about those they served side by side with; many friends were lost. Our National Monument exists to remember and to honor those names and to help keep memories alive of the estimated 58,281 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thus, it is my privilege today to remember and honor:

Charles E. Shelton (April 29, 1932 – April 29, 1965) was a United States Air Force officer who was shot down during the Vietnam War over Laos during a reconnaissance mission on April 29, 1965, his 33rd birthday. His fate is unknown and he was classified as a prisoner of war until 1994, making him the last official U.S. prisoner of war from the Vietnam War.[1] Lived across the hall from my family when I was born in Germany, 1957.

Wars and Operations 1975-2000

Today, we remember and honor those Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom between the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 up to and including September 10th, 2001, and to keep the names and memories alive of the estimated 776 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in places, operations, and war zones with names including Operation Eagle Claw (8), the Salvadoran Civil War (37), the 1982 Lebanon War (266) – where on October 23, 1983, 241 Marines, Soldiers, and Navy Corpsman lost their lives to a suicide bomber – the most Americans killed in one day during this period of time, Operation Earnest Will (39), the Invasion of Grenada (19), the Libya Bombing (2), the Invasion of Panama (23), the Gulf War (294), Operation Provide Comfort (19), Operation Restore Hope (43), Operation Uphold Democracy (4), Conflict in Columbia (8), Bosnian War (12), and the War in Kosovo (2). 

Thus, it is my privilege today to remember and honor:

Captain Mary T. Klinker, USAF, KIA 3 April 1975 when a C-5 crashed during Operation Baby Lift out of Saigon.

Sgt Donald Dugan, Army scout, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade KIA 3 February 1996 when a land mine blew up, first casualty in IFOR Bosnia.

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

Today, we remember and honor those who died during the Global War on Terror and to keep the names and memories alive of the estimated 7,085 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars and operations since September 11, 2001 — including the 2,432 who died in the War in Afghanistan during OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom), the 4,576 Americans that died in the War in Iraq during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom), and the 77 Americans who died in Operation Inherent Resolve (military operations in Iraq/Syria/Libya) and the Raid on Yakia, in Yemen. Thus, it is my privilege today to remember and honor: 

Sergeant Nicole Leeann Gee (U.S. Marine Corps) K.I.A. AUGUST 26TH 2021. Gee deployed to Afghanistan in support of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region as part of Operation Allies Refuge. While there, she served on a Female Engagement Team where she facilitated evacuation support for Afghan women and children at Kabul International Airport. On August 26, 2021, Gee was killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing attack in Kabul along with 12 other service members.

Staff Sergeant James Shepard (U.S. Marine Corps) E.O.W. JULY 5TH 2023.

He was an Ordnance Technician (MOS 6541) and a Marine Security Forces member who guarded U.S. Embassies (MOS 8152) He joined the Marine Corps September of 2011 out of his home state of Virginia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery: section 12, grave 6954.