FOR THE FALLEN

Frontiersman

WASILLA — With gas prices soaring and many rethinking taking road trips to get away for Memorial Day weekend, organizers of this year’s Mat-Su Valley Memorial Day Service are hopeful residents will take to the streets tomorrow to honor those who served and died in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“This event is, and always has been, for the community,” said Laura McCammon, commander of the American Legion Susitna Valley Post 35 and master of ceremonies for Monday’s Mat-Su service at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla.

McCammon said members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and AmVets have spent hundreds of volunteer hours preparing for this year’s Memorial Day service, joining forces to honor local veterans and the fallen.

“We usually get started on this three months in advance,” McCammon said. “I’d say all the volunteers put in a minimum of 400 to 600 hours preparing for this event.”

As commander of the American Legion Susitna Valley Post 35 in Wasilla, McCammon said her organization took on the bulk of the organizing responsibilities this year, but that all of the Valley’s veterans organizations have a major role.

Memorial Day observances start at 10 a.m. with the annual Memorial Day Parade beginning outside the U.S. Post Office on Main Street in Wasilla. Veterans, families and military supporters will assemble in their classic cars, motorcycles and floats. The parade will travel on Wasilla-Fishhook Road, ending at Wasilla’s Aurora Cemetery for a brief graveside service.

Each year, the grave of a veteran is chosen to represent all those who died in past conflicts. This year, the oldest known deceased veteran buried at the cemetery was chosen to be recognized. Also, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars will decorate each veteran’s grave with a white cross and an American flag.

A local chaplain will then offer a prayer of benediction by the grave while red poppies are placed over each veteran’s plot. According to the American Legion Web site, the red poppy has become a recognized symbol of sacrifice, honoring the men and women who served and died for their country.

Last month, Gov. Sarah Palin proclaimed May as Memorial Red Poppy Month, encouraging all Alaskans to wear a red poppy to honor those who have fallen by helping living veterans and showing support for members of the armed forces now serving.

Wrapping up the graveside ceremony, Post 35 will present its honor guard, which will fire honorary rounds into the sky as a bugler plays “Taps.”

At 1 p.m., it’s on to the Veterans’ Wall of Honor for the Valley’s largest public ceremony.

“The wall displays veteran names of all who have served, living or deceased,” McCammon said. “We’ll pay tribute there to all those who served.”

The Veterans’ Wall of Honor, located by the Mat-Su Visitors Center off the Parks Highway, was designed and erected by local veterans and the Area Wide Community Services Council, listing living and deceased veterans from the area.

A small plaque on the Wall states that a veteran should not have to expire before his or her service is recognized and held up for the world to see.

U.S. senator and World War II veteran Ted Stevens will be this year’s honorary speaker at the Wall, home from Washington, D.C., this week.

McCammon said she asked Senator Stevens to speak at the event not because of his political status in Alaska, but for his years of service with the armed forces.

“I hob-nob with the big boys,” McCammon said. “Our guest speaker will always be a veteran, despite what they do for a living today.”

McCammon said those who have never been to the Veterans’ Wall of Honor before will most likely experience what she did on her first experience there: Patriotism at its fullest.

Volunteers from the Sons of the American Legion will place wreaths around the wall as well. Local ROTC, Boy Scout troops and Young Junior Auxiliary members have also added their time and efforts to this year’s ceremony.

“It’s a big family,” she said. “The purpose is to include our vets, their families, children and the community at large into one effort. The American Legion puts all its efforts into supporting these groups.”

Once the service has wrapped up, McCammon said the public is invited back to Post 35 for an all-out family cookout.

“It’s a good time for our vets to talk to each other and reminisce about their days of service, as well as a fun community get together,” she said.

J.W. “Red” Terrill, an incoming finance officer for the AmVets Department of Alaska, said Memorial Day should be a remembrance not only for those who served, but an educational opportunity for today’s youth. Over the years a lack of enthusiasm for Memorial Day from children results in a lack of remembrance of the battles that were fought for our freedom and the importance that service is to America.

“I think it’s an important deal that the children know what Memorial Day is,” Terrill said. “When we recognize those who came before us, it teaches the young people about service and honor. It’s disappointing you don’t see that many kids at Fourth of July or other veteran events anymore. They used to come with decorated wagons and waving little flags, but that’s dwindling. I think we’re short-changing our children by not encouraging them to carry on that tradition.”

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