A small crowd gathered in Copperopolis Cemetery on Memorial
Day 2013 to commemorate the day with a flag-raising and wreath laying ceremony.
While many chose to join the group, some preferred the solitude of the cemetery
to pay their respects to those they had lost – to honor their memory silently.
The James D Piper VFW Post 12118 hosts the yearly event for
the community with participation from the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary and
the Copper Hills 4H.
After a short welcome speech by Commander Al Gilbert the
ceremony commenced with respectful silence as VFW Officers slowly raised the
flag. Military personnel representing WWII, Korea, and Vietnam were present and
accounted for in pressed shirts and crisp covers. The salute taught to them in
their youth still fresh in their minds as they proudly saluted their American
flag, the same flag they had fought for, the same flag some of their friends
had died for.
Chaplain Richard Westberg delivered a prayer for all that
had come before, all that would follow, all that were lost and those yet to be
found.
Commander Gilbert told of the beginnings of Memorial Day and
the meaning. “There can never be too many days of remembrance for what they
have done, what their families have lost – today we remember, we owe them no
less.”
A wreath ceremony followed.
A wreath was placed at the base of the flag pole as symbol
of remembrance. Three bouquets were
placed beside the wreath; one containing white flowers as a symbol of “purity
and unselfish courage,” one containing red flowers as a symbol of “our devotion
and everlasting remembrance” and finally a bouquet of blue flowers as a symbol
of life everlasting for those service personnel “who have given their lives on
land, on sea and in the air.”
As the flag was lowered to half mast slowly, Commander
Gilbert put forth these words, “Comrades, in the silent land beyond, wherever
your mortal remains may rest, these solemn services we hold in tribute to you.”
Following the ceremony representatives from the Copper Hills
4H group, the Copper Fire Explorer program and some youth from Copper Canyon
Baptist Church helped the veterans place flags on the 35 veteran gravesites
within the cemetery.
If you would like more information about events hosted by
VFW Post 12118 you can email Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.
