Memorial Day in the Mat-Su

WASILLA — The 2024 Memorial Day ceremony held at the Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor drew a large crowd Monday, May 27.

Numerous guest speakers such as Governor Mike Dunleavy, Senator Dan Sullivan, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, and Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford read proclamations and talked about the importance of Memorial Day.

Dunleavy marveled at the large turnout.

“It's an honor to be home in the Valley. As many of you know, well I live up the road actually,” Dunleavy said. “I knew that when I came to this ceremony today, it didn't matter if it was raining or if it was sunny. It didn't matter what the weather was going to be, but I knew there was going to be a lot of folks here today.”

Dunleavy stressed the importance of the nationally recognized holiday dedicated to honoring U.S. military members who died in the line of duty.

“There's a lot of holidays in our country. This is unique, because we remember those that aren't with us anymore. We show gratitude to those that sacrificed everything so we could be here today- so we could live a life that we want to live,” Dunleavy said.

Special guest speaker Matthew Cummings, First Sgt. 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson talked about his experiences serving overseas. He expressed how grateful he was for being able to return safely to his family while many of his brothers and sisters in arms were not able to.

“I want to take time to thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Cummings said.

Sen. Dan Sullivan commended Alaskans for their prevailing patriotism, particularly Valley residents.

“We are the most patriotic state in the country, more veterans per capita than anyplace is the country, more supportive of our military, and I would say undeniably the heart patriotic Alaska is right here in the Mat-Su Valley,” Sullivan said.

JR Hackett of the Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor Foundation read U.S. President Joe Biden's Memorial Day proclamation.

Lisa Murkowski's special assistant Gerri Sumpter read the senator's Memorial Day proclamation.

AMVETS Post 9 Chaplain Bob Moore did an invocation as well as a closing prayer.

Following speaker presentations, the American Legion Post 35 Honor Guard performed a firing ceremony, Hank Hartman performed TAPS, and there was a presentation of wreaths where various community members brought wreaths to hang on the various walls with local military members’ names etched onto stone.

This annual event is hosted by local veterans organizations from across the Valley. Each year, a different post hosts the event with help from the other organizations. AMVETS Post 9 hosted this year's ceremony with Post Commander Scott Montagne as the Master of Ceremonies.

“It's our honor to do this," Montagne said.

Montagne said that this event is always well attended.

“Having the people come out like this and participating and remembering those who've fallen is one of the best things about this ceremony,” Montagne said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com