GOSHEN —
American flags waved proudly all across Goshen Monday morning as Memorial Day celebrants gathered to pay tribute to the area’s many local veterans and their families.
The day began bright and early with an 8:45 a.m. service on the footbridge at Rogers Park, where members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 985, Disabled American Veterans 15 and American Legion Post 30 gathered for a wreath-tossing ceremony to honor the fallen veterans of the Navy and Coast Guard.
“Today at the footbridge is to honor those that went to sea and died, whether it’s Coast Guard or Navy,” said Jan Santos, president of the VFW Post 985 Ladies Auxiliary, who read the Navy prayer during the event. “The throwing of the wreath into the river symbolizes how when they went out to sea, they had to bury their dead at sea. So it’s kind of a memorial for those who had to be left behind at sea.”
Throwing the wreath into the river during the service was longtime VFW Post 985 member Bob Cotherman.
“It’s always important to recognize those that have served before us, because they gave us the freedom to do what we want to do in this country,” Santos said. “That’s so important, because so many people in so many other countries don’t have that same freedom.”
Following the Rogers Park service was a second brief service at the Elkhart County Courthouse War Memorial, which included a ceremonial raising of the flag and speeches by Judge Terry Shewmaker and Richard Clark Sr., commander of the VFW Post 985.
During his speech, Shewmaker thanked the local veterans for their sacrifice and bravery in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
“They were aware of the dangers before them,” Shewmaker said, “and yet responded without hesitancy to the call of duty.”
Clark, a veteran of the Vietnam war, followed Shewmaker with a moving tribute to personal friend he had known from the Marine Corp.
“You’ve got to remember what our veterans fought for,” Clark said of why he wanted to speak during Monday’s service. “We fought so we can say what we want to say. That’s why we fought, to keep America free. And for our children, and our families. That’s why we did it.”
Clark’s wife, Barbara, agreed.
“It’s so important, because they need to be honored,” Barbara said. “They’re out there fighting for their lives and for us back here. They’ve got families too, you know. We have men and women all over fighting for us right now, and they need our support.”
Following the War Memorial service, it was time to shake things up a bit with the annual 2012 Memorial Day parade.
Kicking off at 10:15 a.m., the parade began at the Goshen Police Station and snaked its way through the downtown area before coming to a close at Oakridge Cemetery for the day’s final Memorial Day service, where Shewmaker once again served as a featured speaker.
“There are parades in other cities. There are services in other cities. Some people just think that memorial day is for honoring all dead, and not just those in service to our country,” Shewmaker said in discussing the history of Memorial Day. “Make no mistake, we’re here today to honor those who served their country. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.”
Also serving as a featured speaker during the Oakridge service was SGT. 1st Class Martin Morehead of the 1538th Transportation Company out of Elkhart.
During his speech, Morehead, a 30-plus year veteran, gave a personal account of what it means to be a longtime member of the military and the sacrifices such service entails.
“There are many stories about heroes...stories about soldiers that went to war and didn’t come back,” Morehead said.
He then went on to remind those in the crowd of the importance of remembering and honoring those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This day isn’t about one soldier,” Morehead said. “It’s about all the fallen soldiers.”
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Goshen Police Department Honor Guard members Randy Kantner, left, and Jeff Schrock, right, prepare to raise the flag at the courthouse. JOHN KLINE | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Several events marked Memorial Day in Goshen
Veterans honored at Rogers Park, county courthouse and at Oakridge Cemetery.
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