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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Many Northern Utah residents are finding unique ways to ... Mark Memorial Day
By MITCH SHAWLAYTON -- As the death toll rises and the war on terror marches into its sixth year, the sacrifice of more than 4,000 soldiers weighs heavily on the minds of the public and many Americans are finding new ways to honor service members of all generations.
"I think you are definitely seeing a lot more memorials out there," said Terry Schow, director of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs.
"When you have folks in harm's way, it's just natural that the public is more mindful."
Schow, a Vietnam War veteran, said because today's war is such a focal point of American society, many people feel a sense of responsibility to pay tribute.
"It's a sad thing, but I think the further we get away from war, folks have a tendency to forget about all the people who have made their way of life possible," he said.
"I think, now, this war is sort of the center of attention and you have a lot of people who feel like it's their duty to do something to preserve the memory of our soldiers."
During World War II, Jack Helgesen was a member of the 398th Bomb Group, which flew Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses in bombing missions over Europe.
Helgesen is the last living member of his nine-man crew and said, although times have changed and many years have passed between the two conflicts, the work soldiers do today parallels what he and his peers did in the '40s.
"It's a pretty tough war that's going on over there," Helgesen said, speaking of Iraq and Afghanistan.
"You hear about it on the news and realize these young people are going through a lot of the same things we did."
Robert Schuessler, a Vietnam veteran and commander of the Ogden American Legion Post, said he also thinks the war in Iraq has caused many Americans to reflect on past war efforts.
"People are realizing these guys aren't coming home -- they've answered the ultimate call," he said. "But sometimes I think it helps if people feel like they are actually doing something.
"Visiting memorials or making a memorial does that."
On Monday, Hill Air Force Base will honor four airmen killed last year in Iraq.
Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Balmer, Sr. Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki and Sr. Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr. will be honored with the dedication of the Hill Air Force Base Memorial Park.
Four streets on base will also be renamed in honor of the airmen.
The dedication is the first of its type at the base, Hill officials say.
"It will provide a lasting honor and tribute to the four heroes we lost in Iraq in 2007," said Col. Linda Medler, 75th Air Base Wing commander.
In June, three local soldiers -- Michael Lehmiller, of Clearfield; Daniel Dolan, of Roy; and Michael Pursel, of Hooper -- will be honored with memorial busts placed in the soldiers' respective city halls.
The soldiers' busts are a part of Operation Never Forget, a nonprofit organization that hopes to build portraiture memorial busts of every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the war began.
Daniel Dolan's mother, Fay, said memorials are important because they serve as a reminder.
"When the war started, everybody was really gung-ho," she said.
"As it drags on, people's views have changed, but the one thing that has remained constant is, there are still soldiers out making huge sacrifices. I think we need to be reminded of that sometimes."
Dolan said with all the differing opinions on the lightning rod that is the Iraq war, one thing the public should agree on is supporting the troops engaged in battle.
"There are people who are angry with the war or that have become desensitized to it, but whatever you think of it, you still have to respect the soldiers," she said. "They are just doing their job."
On Friday, the Bountiful American Legion Post set out 1,453 crosses at the Bountiful City Cemetery to honor veterans buried there.
Vietnam vet and Bountiful American Legion Commander Ron Mortensen said 70 crosses were added this year. That's the number of Bountiful-area veterans who have died since last Memorial Day.
"We've had a lot of World War II veterans pass away," he said. "If we don't do things like this, they will be forgotten. We need to keep that memory alive for all soldiers -- Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam -- all of them."
Perhaps Layton resident and World War II veteran Jay Dansie best summed up the relationship between past, present and future war heroes.
"It doesn't matter what war it is, we need to remember them," he said.
"My thought is this -- he or she who gives their life for our country will always be my brother and sister."
Memorial Day events
All events will be held Monday unless otherwise listed.
* Woods Cross will host its annual 5K run and Memorial Day breakfast. The 5K run begins at 7 a.m., with registration from 6 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. at Hogan Park, 1555 S. 800 West. A flag ceremony is set for 8 a.m., followed by breakfast for $1 per person. Call 292-4421 for information.
* A Utah Aviation Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. in the F-16 Special Event Space (inside Hill Aerospace Museum, 7961 Wardleigh Road, Hill Air Force Base). Cliff Jolley will become the newest inductee. A memorial service is planned for 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, with patriotic readings and the meaning of "Taps."
To get to the museum from Interstate 15, either northbound or southbound, take Exit 338 and go east. For information, call 777-6818 or visit www.hill.af.mil/library/museum.
* Four airmen killed in the line of duty will be honored during a memorial dedication ceremony at Hill Air Force Base Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. Congressman Rob Bishop will briefly speak, and Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, will officiate. The ceremony is open to all personnel who have access to the base and community members who have received invitations.
* Miss Utah Jill Stevens will be the guest speaker at the Syracuse Memorial Day commemoration at 8 a.m. at the city cemetery, north of Antelope Drive on 1000 West. Other guests will be Mayor Fred Panucci and the Syracuse band.
* The annual Tremonton Memorial Day program will honor all veterans at 9 a.m. at the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery, 200 E. 1200 South.
* Farmington American Legion Post 27 will present a 9 a.m. program at the Farmington City Cemetery, 500 S. 200 East. A flag-raising ceremony will be conducted by the Post 27 Color Guard. Retired Lt. Col. Jay Hess, U.S. Air Force, will be the featured speaker. The color guard will retrieve the colors at 9 p.m.
* A Memorial Day program will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Lake View Memorial Cemetery, 1640 E. Lakeview Drive. The program will include music from the Utah Pipe Band.
* Lindquist Memorial Parks will host three special ceremonies at its three Top of Utah parks. The Wasatch and District Pipe Band will play at each. The Layton ceremony at Lindquist Memorial Park, 1867 Fairfield Road, will be at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, the Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 S. Washington Blvd., tribute will be at noon, and the Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, South Ogden, event will be at 2 p.m.
* Dip candles and more at Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Monday. Call 721-9569 for information.
* A traditional Memorial Day observance will be at the Ogden City Cemetery. Flags will be placed on the gravesite of each veteran buried at the cemetery. The 7 a.m. observance will be hosted by the Ogden American Legion Post. Call 393-1475 for information.
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