Worth the price

MAT-SU — Beneath an old spruce tree on the lawn of Wasilla’s Aurora Cemetery, a gray headstone solemnly sums up the life of its owner. The headstone, belonging to a U.S. Naval officer who fought and died in World War II, is etched in black extolling a brave man who “fought for a true cause and will never be forgotten.”

Veterans and military supporters took to the sunny streets of Wasilla to mark Memorial Day Monday to remember those who fought and served to earn and protect America’s freedom, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35 hosted the Memorial Day Parade, which started at the Wasilla Post Office and ended at the Aurora Cemetery, less than a mile up Wasilla-Fishhook Road.

At 10 a.m., fewer than 100 people followed a Wasilla Police Department escort along the road, carrying miniature U.S. and M.I.A. flags, many wearing red “buddy” poppy pins supplied by Alaska’s Veterans of Foreign Wars. Spectators sat and cheered from the sidelines along Main Street.

Joan Matthews, secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35, said that regardless of a low parade turnout, those who did come out to show their support did so with big hearts.

“I think we don’t do enough for military appreciation,” Matthews said. “People should be more enthusiastic, but camping and whatnot does take a front seat in Alaska.”

Matthews, who carried the blue American Legion flag at the head of the parade, said her grandson, Pfc. Derek O’Neil, has been serving in Iraq for what seems like forever. She carried the flag for the American Legion on Monday, but also for her grandson.

Gov. Sarah Palin and family joined those marking Memorial Day at the post office, greeting veterans and other parade participants. Palin, who has a son serving in the military, said she had to come home to show her appreciation for Wasilla’s efforts.

“We’ve been doing this walk forever,” Palin said, shaking hands with a American Legion member. “I’ve got to at least stop and thank everyone who’s here.”

Palin noted that with Memorial Day comes the recognition of May as Red Poppy Month, illustrating the importance of remembrance by wearing the spring flower to never forget the men and women who serve during war time.

“We need a visual like the poppy to shed some more light on these men and women in uniform,” she said. “The Valley has always rallied support around our armed forces.”

State senate candidate Linda Menard also came out to greet the paraders, adding that while the event had a lighter than normal turnout, the energy was still evident.

“If you’re putting something good out into the community, like this parade and ceremony, then it’s successful no matter what,” Menard said.

Alice Minnick, a 38-year member of VFW Post 9365 Ladies Auxiliary, said has attended the Valley’s Memorial Day Parade for 32 years.

“It’s always encouraging to see the young organizations come out here,” Minnick said. “It’s so important for the children to know what this is all about. Plus, we lucked out. In all these years I’ve come out here, there’s been no rain.”

Cemetery service

At the Aurora Veterans Cemetery in Wasilla, seven members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35 Honor Guard stood at attention.

Laura McCammon, commander of the American Legion Susitna Valley Post 35 and master of ceremonies at this year’s Memorial Day service, stood facing the grave of the fallen soldier — Julius B. Palmer, a World War I veteran. He was the first buried at the cemetery in 1948. Now, 60 years later, he would be honored for his service.

In front of a growing crowd at the graveside, McCammon read “In Flanders Field,” by Lt. Col. John McCrae, a World War I veteran who wrote the famous work in 1915 after witnessing the death of a friend in battle.

“For these soldiers who are now gone, their souls go marching on,” McCammon said.

After Chaplain Richard Williams delivered a brief prayer of gratitude, the honor guard fired three shots into the air as buglers on both sides of Palmer’s grave played “Taps.”

At the Wall

The day of remembrance continued at the Veterans’ Wall of Honor across from Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Attendants read and took pictures of the names on the wall as members of the armed forces, past and present, mingled in the warm afternoon sun where hundreds more had arrived.

Gov. Palin, along with the family’s newest addition, Trig Paxson Van Palin, took front row at the Wall of Honor ceremony. She was joined by state Sen. Charlie Huggins, Palmer Mayor John Combs and World War II veteran and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, who gave the service’s keynote address.

Veterans in attendance wore their medals and service caps, displaying their badges of duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Making the biggest entrance were members of the Vietnam Vets of Alaska Legacy M/C motorcade, who arrived on bikes wearing black leather vests, chaps and vests bearing names of the platoons of which they were part. Just before the ceremony began, seniors from the Palmer Pioneer and Veterans Home arrived by shuttle.

“Today’s visible presence of those here pays tribute to those who went before us,” McCammon said.

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35 Color Guard then raised the U.S., Alaska and M.I.A. flags from half to full staff, following a proclamation last Sunday from President George Bush to lower the flags until Memorial Day.

Local songster Adele Morgan led everyone in a moving rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” followed by a reading of an excerpt from Sen. John McCain’s “Pledge of Allegiance” speech by Huggins.

Palin then read a poem by Theresa Fuller, a local member of the Ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary, reminding those in attendance that those who have or are serving in the armed forces have affected all Alaskans.

Colorful wreaths and flower arrangements were placed along the Wall of Honor from various groups, including the young men from Boy Scout Troop 367 and Pack 367, who delivered wreaths to the wall to applause, prompting McCammon to ask from the podium, “See? Are we teaching Americanism or what?”

Bert Hall, chairman of the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Council, introduced Sen. Ted Stevens as a soldier who served with the best of them during World War II. To a standing ovation, Stevens delivered his memories of his wartime service in China as an Army Air Corps lieutenant flying C-47 planes for his country.

“This is a special day to me,” Stevens said. “Because I didn’t have much of a family growing up, my uncle, a World War I motorcycle courier, had taught me early on that when Memorial Day came around, we turned out.”

Stevens spoke about the lasting commitment the U.S. Armed Forces have had to their soldiers, not just in days of remembrance, but to the living heroes of the country today.

“It impresses me a great deal that no matter where you go in our great country,” he said, “people turn out.”

Stevens also said that all of the U.S. troops serving in the more than 140 countries worldwide are not far from the hearts and minds of Americans, promising more will be done to those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as new veterans.

“As we honor those who served in the past, let’s make sure we keep track of those serving now, so that they don’t get off the plane and walk into an empty airport,” he said.

The ceremony ended with another reading of “In Flanders Field” followed by Adele Morgan leading the audience in “God Bless America.”

“This is the best ceremony I’ve seen,” Hall said after the ceremony. “I’ve spent 40 years in military appreciation and this ceremony was beautiful.”

Hall said the word “remembrance” echoes through his mind on Memorial Day as a reminder of what individual responsibilities are during trying times.

“No one likes war,” Hall said. “War is a terrible thing and our service men and women took the call. That’s why support is so necessary, because we shouldn’t dwell on how we got there, but where we are now.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com, or 352-2269.