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Brigadier Gen. Richard S. Miller, Mayor Owen Diaz and Milan Police Chief Jeff Lewis stand together before the start of Monday's Memorial Day events honoring war veterans and fallen soldiers.
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As hundreds of Milan-area residents assembled in Marble Memorial Park Cemetery Monday, Jana Federer looked around with pride and hope as she considered the lessons being shared on Memorial Day.
The wife of Milan American Legion Post 268 chaplain Len Federer seemed impressed with the turnout and the number of youths in the audience.
"I hope they understand Memorial Day is not a picnic or a barbecue. It's honoring our veterans and respecting our flag and country," said Federer, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Members of the auxiliary, legion and Sons of the American Legion Squadron were among those heading up Milan's Memorial Day festivities, which included two ceremonies and a parade through town. The American Legion Auxiliary's Eileen Kanitz served as co-chairwoman of the Memorial Day services and Jim Early was grand marshal.
Federer said participation in the community seemed in recent years to be at an all-time high.
"I do see a lot more people in Milan participating," she said. "I think it's because of the exposure in Iraq and what's happening. I think people want to honor and respect our veterans for what they're doing for us and what they've done for us."
Len Federer said the show of support also may be attributed to the American Legion's decision 10 years ago to expand its program, adding a parade and including more community participation.
Dan Weber, assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 449, who has been marching with his troop in the Memorial Day parade for the past five years, said it's an honor to be included in the program.
"I like the fact we can honor those who died in our wars and gave their lives, and sacrificed to win and keep our freedom," he said, while lining up the boys on Wabash Street in front of the American Legion hall. "Our country is only great because we have these people who sacrificed themselves in the service of our country."
Scoutmaster Rob Wachowicz, who was standing with the group before the parade started, said there always has been a lot of support in the community for the traditions associated with Memorial Day.
"As an Army veteran, I feel it's important to participate in these events," he added.
The day's events kicked off with a memorial service in front of the Milan American Legion Hall overlooking Ford Lake on Wabash Street. Len Federer served as master of ceremonies, introducing American Legion Auxiliary members Jean Early and Barb Weaver, who laid wreaths at Wilson Park and at the banks of Ford Lake to honor the nation's fallen heroes.
Lee Pickett, commander of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 268, raised the flag, while members of the Milan High School Marching Band performed patriotic songs during the ceremony.
The parade, which featured military veterans, Scouts, local dignitaries and others, followed the ceremony, making its way down Main Street to Marble Cemetery off Platt Road. Many gathered in front of the monument as Federer introduced the Rev. Dale Kleimola of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Milan, who delivered the invocation and later the benediction.
Among the day's speakers were Milan Mayor Owen Diaz and Brigadier Gen. Richard S. Miller of the 38th Army Infantry.
Diaz said he would not be present today as an American if it were not for what he called "American world heroes" who liberated his family in the Philippines from the Japanese Imperial Army.
With more than 42 million Americans serving in the U.S. military and 600,000 who sacrificed their lives, he asked those in attendance whether one day of remembrance was enough.
"The truth is, we owe something more, and it requires a commitment on our part -- a commitment to the principles of our nation, and to the personal sacrifices needed to preserve those principles," he said. "We must extend a helping hand to those soldiers who may need support and our understanding."
Diaz said it's a privilege to honor military veterans.
"To these military men and women, whose service spans every decade, every year, every day of our community's existence, we owe a great deal," he said, "We owe them our freedom. We owe them our heritage. We owe them our gratitude."
Miller, the keynote speaker, recognized the community at large for its support of the armed forces.
"Yes, our servicemen are heroes. But, let me tell you, we could not do what we do without your support, so thank you," he said.
He called Memorial Day a day of remembrance, a day of honor and a day of thanks, and asked the community to remember that the country is at war, noting that the number of war causalities has surpassed the number of people who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"This war has no front lines and is based on radical religious ideology that promotes the destruction of our way of life and our basic freedoms," he said.
Miller said the nation is forever in the debt of its soldiers for putting themselves in harm's way so that Americans can live in peace.
"Our men and women in uniform are our most powerful line of defense in the current conflict against terrorists and extremists," he said. "They come from all across America and have answered the call of duty. As they depart from our shores, we are hopeful that they will come home again, but we know that some of them will not return. It's our responsibility to make sure that those who don't return are not forgotten.
"Let's continue to make sure these heroes are never forgotten -- on this day and every day."
The ceremony concluded with Robbie Bolog, a 2007 Milan High School graduate, performing "Taps."
Editor Michelle Rogers can be reached at 429-7380 or mrogers@heritage.com.
Video of the Milan Memorial Day parade and ceremony can be found at www.heritage.com. Photos also may be purchased online.
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