Memorial Day services held in Union County

Memorial Day was commemorated Monday morning, May 27, with solemn ceremonies in Cobden and Anna.

Memorial Day ceremonies were held at the Cobden Cemetery and at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of Anna.

Large crowds attended both services, which recalled the sacrifices of American men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces.

Monday morning’s service at the Cobden Cemetery featured ceremonies which were presented by the American Legion and the VFW. 

Music, words of remembrance, the placing of a wreath, a salute to those who sacrificed to keep the nation free and the sound of “Taps” were part of the service. 

Similar scenes and sounds highlighted the Memorial Day service which was held at the Anna VFW post. The service was presented by the VFW post and its Auxiliary.

Jerry L. Reppert of Anna delivered a Memorial Day message at the service. Reppert is the publisher of The Gazette-Democrat.

Reppert, who is a Navy veteran, noted the important role the VFW plays in the community and focused on the word “freedom” during his message. 

He asked those in attendance at the ceremony to consider what each of the letters in the word “freedom” might mean for them.

He then shared his thoughts on what the letters in “freedom” mean to him:

F: all of those who served in the nation’s armed forces are trained to “fight.”

R: “respect” is word. Respect for the flag; for those who have served, and are serving, in the armed forces; and for the uniform they wear.

E: the letter is for “everybody.” He noted that while 1 percent of the U.S. population serves in the military, “it takes all of us to keep our freedom...Everybody pitches in.”

E: the second “E” is for “everlasting...we’re always going to need a strong military.”

D: the letter remembers “death,” “the price of war.” Monday’s service gave those in attendance an opportunity to remember those “great heroes.”

O: the first letter in the phrase “onward and upward.” At a time when the nation pauses to honor those who sacrificed to keep everyone free...”we have so much to be thankful for.”

M: the final letter in the word “freedom” stands for “memorial.” The purpose for Monday’s service. “We are honoring our war dead...never forget.”

“The veterans here today certainly deserve our thanks,” he said.