Menu
Services honor fallen veterans
The day began fog-shrouded, cold and somber, as more than 100 volunteer airmen and 150 civilians stood in silent honor as the community celebrated Veteran's Day at Mountain View Cemetery Friday.
But then the sun began to shine, and as the sound of Taps echoed through the cemetery near the end of the ceremonies, the cloudy grey skies had given way to a bright moment of rebirth in the spirit of rememberance for those who have fallen in the service of their country.
Throughout the cemetery, the graves of veterans from the Civil War to Iraq saw citizens stop and pause and offer silent salutes to their sacrifices.
The ceremonies opened with a prayer for the end of all strife, and brief remarks by American Legion Post No. 26 Commander Pat Crook who noted that the strength of American arms on the field of battle has always lain in the justice of the causes for which the troops have fought.
But it was the remarks of Col. Charles Shugg, commander of the 366th Wing, that were the highlight of the ceremonies. He thanked those attending the ceremonies "on behalf of those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces... for taking time to honor and pay tribute to those who have made sacrifices for our country.
"Mountain Home and the state of Idaho have a very strong tradition of military service," he said, noting that Idaho is home to nearly140,000 veterans.
Elmore County, in fact, has the highest percentage of veterans of any population in the nation, and many were on hand Friday, representing all the nation's wars from WWII to Iraq.
"This year is the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II," Shugg noted, pointing out that, "as time passes, fewer members of that generation remain.
"Sadly, I sometimes wonder if Hollywood films, such as the 1940s classic "Twelve O'Clock High" to the more recent releases such as the 'Band of Brothers' and 'Tuskegee Airmen,' did not exist, would we continue to remember and demonstrate our appreciation and respect for what our World War II veterans experienced? I hope we would, and I ask that you continue to thank them every chance we can," he said.
"Veteran's Day themes can be summarized in a single sentence that is etched in marble on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.," he said -- "Freedom is not free.
"Although many hold the belief that freedom is our God-given right, freedom has never been free," he pointed out.
"Ask a veteran who stormed Omaha Beach in World War II, or one who almost froze on Korea's Chosin Reservoir, or one who slogged through the steaming Mekong Delta in Vietnam, or one who chased the Republican Guard all the way back to Baghdad or one who is still fighting Al-Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq today.
"These veterans can tell you that freedom is far from being free.
"Sadly, a large number of Americans take their freedom for granted," he said. "Since most of them have always lived in an environment free from tyranny and corrupt justice systems, they question the sacrifices our nation is making to bring freedom to others.
"Maybe they would have a different opinion is they visited with some elderly people in Western Europe, who still go out of their way today to thank US service members with tears in their eyes. They remember the sacrifices our armed forces made for them and they continue to honor their adopted heroes as they lay in rest in their cemeteries.
"Or maybe they should talk with some elderly Japanese citizens, who will provide them with a detailed history lesson on how the great American leader, Gen. MacArthur, helped guide them to democracy after their surrender and left them not an occupied country but a free nation.
"Or maybe they should just talk to one of our returning servicemen or women, who could describe first hand, the gratitude of Iraqi and Afghanistan families that have voted for the first time and are just now understanding what it means to be free from injustice and terror.
"Until they bother to do any of those things, I guess it will have to be our responsibility to remind people that freedom is not free, whether for us personally or for others," Shugg said.
But, he added, "I am proud to report to you today, that like their predecessors, today's servicemen and women are performing demanding tasks with the utmost integrity.
"They endure hardships and live extended periods without their families.
"They accomplish their mission with a firm commitment to service before self, and an unyielding belief that freedom isn't free.
"And just like the brave men and women who came before them, they continue to set an unwavering standard of excellence in everything they do."
Shugg thanked the community "on behalf of our airmen at Mountain Home Air Force Base for expressing the great amount of pride you have in our nation's veterans. Because of veterans, we are free and will remain free.... May God continue to bless all our veterans and this great country of ours."
The ceremonies also were marked by the laying of wreaths from a number of veteran's groups in the community, and a 21-gun salute from the American Legion honor guard and rifle team.