Valley turns out to honor veterans

MAT-SU -- A Memorial Day service honoring veterans, both local and nationwide, took place on Monday afternoon at the Veterans Wall of Honor near the Mat-Su Visitors Center, off the Parks Highway. A slow drizzle mirrored the somber, respectful mood of the numerous attendees.

In the early stages of the ceremony, three F-15 Eagle jets from the 19th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force led by Captain Jason Smith flew over the Wall, their gray bodies matching the clouds that choked the skies.

Barry Perkins, commander of American Legion Post No. 15, was master of ceremonies at Monday's service. In a speech that accompanied the presentation of commemorative wreaths, Perkins stressed the necessity of continuing to support American veterans through beneficial programs.

"We must vow that our veterans are treated with the respect they deserve," Perkins said. "We must do our best to repay the debt to those who have presented us with the most precious gift, our freedom."

Perkins also said 2004 marks the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy that helped end World War II, and that now, as much as then, the eyes of the world are upon us.

David Stockwell, associate director for the Alaska VA Healthcare System and Regional Office, reinforced Perkins' call for commemoration and support alike for veterans.

"This is a small sacrifice on our part for the great sacrifice that our veterans have given," he said.

Stockwell proceeded to read an address from President George W. Bush to the assembled crowd. The address called for, among other things, a period of prayer beginning at 11 a.m., a nationwide moment of silence at 3 p.m., and the flying of flags at half-staff until noon.

A proclamation from Gov. Frank Murkowski was also read by Brig. Gen. Craig N. Christensen of the Alaska Army National Guard. In this speech, the governor meditated on the origins of the holiday, noting that, as early as the post-Civil War era, Southern women devoted time to placing flowers on the graves of departed Confederate soldiers.

Murkowski's proclamation also stated that the United States is still engaged in a fight for freedom, and that prayers should go out to not only the soldiers currently on active duty, but also their friends and families.

Maj. Brent Goodrum with the United States Marine Corps placed the origins of Memorial Day even earlier, in President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which he quoted in his speech. "This is a day to gather together and share the loss of our loved ones," he said.

"Today is a day that unites us as Americans," said Deputy Borough Mayor Jim Colver. "Freedom is not free; we all pay a heavy price for it."

Colver went on to issue a proclamation in honor of World War II veterans across the nation, a proclamation that included a call to continued action.

"We still believe today that the blessing of liberty requires constant vigilance and sacrifice," Colver said.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski took the podium amidst a fresh burst of rain. She shrugged off the inclement weather, however.

"We're not standing in rain showers; these are tears from heaven," she said.

Murkowski's speech stressed the importance of listening to the tales that veterans could tell of their experiences.

"On this day," Murkowski said, "we must tell the stories of those who have fought for our freedom. Through these stories, their sacrifice lives on."

Murkowski also spoke in support of programs that continue to care for veterans across America, saying that the nation's soldiers should not be expected to continue to fight for their basic rights.

Wasilla Mayor Dianne M. Keller also read a statement in honor of the day, which she called "a fitting tribute" to "the freedom of peace-loving people everywhere."

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Rabbi Abraham Garmaize of Temple Knesset Israel and a performance of "Taps" by Just Playin' Jazz.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.