'Freedom is not free.' Stark veteran: Why we should reflect on Memorial Day

Our nation will observe Memorial Day on Monday with parades and remembrances at cemeteries in thousands of communities across the country. Originally known as Decoration Day, it has, through the years, become Memorial Day.

Such a day was first proposed by Union General John A. Logan, who called for an official day of remembrance on May 30, 1868.

The date was selected because it was a day in which no particular battle of the Civil War was recognized. It became Decoration Day because families would celebrate the lives of their deceased servicemen and women by placing flowers on the graves of the fallen soldiers.

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In 1950, Congress passed a resolution asking the president to establish a day of prayer for permanent peace. In 1968, Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. In 1971, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday.

So much for the history of Memorial Day.

But what does it mean to veterans and Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in defense of our country? It means remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

As the name of the day evolved, so has the nature of the day’s observance. Originally honoring those who died in conflict or from wounds sustained in combat, it now is a day in which all deceased veterans are honored and remembered.

Flags are placed on the graves of all veterans in cemeteries across the country. The lives of the deceased veterans are celebrated with parades and their sacrifice is honored with programs and speeches. Flags are flown at half-staff until noon at which time they are to be swiftly raised to the top of the pole.

At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, there is a National Moment of Remembrance.

There is a quote from an unknown source that really tells it like it is to most of us and should be known and recognized by all of us who love our country and our freedoms — “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”

That quote says it all quite simply and clearly.

Another quoted to think about comes from General George S. Patton: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men (and women) who died. Rather, we should thank God such men lived.”

As a veteran, I believe a celebration of life is appropriate. I also believe there must be a time of somber remembrance of those who died to help keep this country free. I’m sure that there are veterans who may disagree with the celebration of life that I feel is appropriate.

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1971. It was the Vietnam era and it was a time of great civil unrest in our country. Protests against the United States presence in Southeast Asia were frequent and oftentimes violent.

I was one of the lucky ones who never had to serve in Vietnam. But I lost two good friends who weren’t so lucky. No Memorial Day or Veterans Day passes that I don’t remember Dick Runzo and Jim Robinson.

Dick Runzo was the third baseman on our Westville Lake Little League baseball team. He and I were good friends who lived about a mile apart. He joined the Marines and started his tour in Vietnam on March 26, 1969. He was killed by enemy fire on July 10, just over three months later.

Jim Robinson became a good friend after high school. One of my last memories of Jim was of him, his girlfriend Roxanne, and me riding my 50cc Honda from Lisbon to Salem. The police stopped us and advised us that three people on a small motor bike was not the safest. Jim started his tour in April 1967 and was killed in a vehicle crash on Oct. 5, 1967.

I was there when Roxanne, whom he married before his deployment, got the dreaded news. I still remember her breaking down in tears.

I bring up these two men who were among some 58,000 such men and women whose families received such news. Truly there are very few days of my life that I don’t remember these two young men.

Not only did many of this country’s men and women lose their joys of being young, they also lost the privileges and joys of growing old.

The veterans from that era returned to a country that didn’t welcome them home with open arms. Those veterans are finally being remembered for what they sacrificed, not looked down upon due to our country’s political stance.

I ask everyone to remember to honor those servicemen and women who died in the service of their country by attending a service and observing a moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. Monday, Memorial Day.

As you take a bite of the grilled burger and scoop out a spoonful of mom’s potato salad, just remember that freedom is not free and that we ALL owe these men and women far more than we can ever repay.

Ted Pase is commander of American Legion Post 166 in Alliance.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County veteran Ted Pase: Why I reflect on Memorial Day