Salute to veterans by American Legion Post 424, Bourbon, at Etna Green.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

Overcast skies and chilly temperatures didn’t stop people from gathering in Mentone and Etna Green Sunday afternoon to remember those who have died and served the country in time of war and peace.

In Mentone

Several hours later, many gathered at the Mentone Cemetery, where a service was held honoring those veterans buried there.

Ken Locke, Salvation Army and Chaplin for American Legion Post 49, was the guest speaker. “Memorial Day was born after the Civil War, originally called Decoration Day. About 750 Americans died in that war from 1851-1865. No doubt they had a good reason to begin to honor those who had died.”

He referenced the band “Blood, Sweat and Tears,” that was popular when he was in high school, which was the focus of his presentation. “I want to talk about blood, sweat and tears today, because that’s what it takes to secure democracy,” he said.

Ken Locke was the guest speaker in Mentone.

“Liberty requires hard work and sacrifice by each nation. It doesn’t just happen by chance and each generation has to take and go from there and work hard … where there is liberty in the world, it is largely due to the sweat and sacrifice of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of the United States of America, along with our allied nations … Americans have served on every continent. Have died on every continent and given the full measurement for the liberty that we have today … We have freedom. We have many blessings. Yes, we’re not perfect and yes we have a lot of problems in this country, but the one thing that we have is liberty and we should maintain it above all other things. It comes from the hand of God.”

He continued by stating it takes sweat, it takes hard work, “but it also takes blood.” He quoted Randy Vader who said “the story of America’s quest for freedom is inscribed on our history in the blood of her patriots.” Locke shared that since 1775 there have been 1,354,664 Americans killed in combat, 1,498,240 wounded and there are still 40,031 missing in action. “It’s come with a high price and it’s come with blood. He quoted Michael Castle who once said “these fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from the threats of terror.” Lock added it does “come with a price and unfortunately, sometimes the price is blood.”

He shared the story of his childhood friend who was one of the last two Americans killed in Vietnam on April 29, 1975 and why he is passionate about veterans and about America. “Because I understand the price that it pays for liberty to be secured,” he said.

Continuing, he said “and yes, it comes with tears. How many tears have been shed over the 249 years. How many mothers? How many fathers? How many family members have grieved when they’ve been given that notice their loved one has been killed in action. How many families have dealt with those who have come home and are wounded and bore the scars of war emotionally and physically and spiritually. We are reminded it does come with tears.”

He also noted Memorial Day was a time to remember those who are gone, but came home and worked to make the world a better place. “We honor them today, because we owe a great debt of gratitude to them who served. Especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Ed Rock provided several musical selections.

He referenced Harry Ward Beecher’s comment of how those who gave their lives hover over as a cloud of witnesses above the nation. “I wonder if those who died can look over the ramparts at us and I wonder what they would say if they could say something to us. But I think one thing that they would say to us:  Don’t squander it. Don’t waste liberty away. Be disciplined and diligent. Realize how precious life really is. Look to God and be grateful for all the blessings we have first given to us completely by the hand of God. Secondly given to us by those who are willing to go and serve. Some given the ultimate sacrifice. All gave some. Some gave all. We honor those today. … We live in a blessed country … all the blessings that we have here are because of the price that was paid.”

The service also included reading the names approximately 291 service men and women buried in the cemetery who served their country since World War I.

Also participating in the service were volunteers from the Tippecanoe Valley High School Band, Ed Rock; Pastor Dana Yoder from Mentone United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the honor guard from the John C. Peterson American Legion Post 49, Warsaw.

In Etna Green

David Clark, retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, read the roster of deceased veterans in Etna Green.

Cars started filing into the cemetery 15 minutes before the service was to begin at noon. Many gathered their lawn chairs and sat among the graves to hear the names of those from the community who served.

David Clark, retired Air Force Master Sergeant, read the names of 223 men and women who were from Etna Green and the cemeteries they are buried in. “By reading these names, we honor those who served for us to enjoy and cherish this very day.”

The names he read served in the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Post Korean Conflict, Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom.

Members of American Legion Post 424, Bourbon participated in the honor guard and color guard, the placing of a wreath at the memorial, the 21 gun salute and playing of taps.

Poppies were handed out to each member of the post who participated with a thank you offered for their service.