Legion appreciates support leading up to Memorial Day

Dear editor:

Growing up, I still remember my mom telling me the story about the segregated, 442 Regimental Combat Team. So many of these Japanese Americans who grew up in Hawaii, and loved their country, still gladly served.

Over time, so many of these citizen soldiers received wounds, and sadly, suffered the loss of so many of their buddies in far away places, while defending their country. 

Thinking about my fellow veterans' recent time in service and mine as well, we have lost buddies and even family members who answered the call. We often keep these memories to ourselves, but continue to participate in memorials, many including military honors.

As I reflect, I can say I am very thankful that I had parents and grandparents who took time to share with me their personal experiences; to include the horrible reality of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. They made sure we children learned about the grievous encounters during events like the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, right close to where my mom grew up.

Returning to the way my veteran buddies and I salute our deceased comrades in arms; we gladly work on the week prior to Memorial Day, (starting with May 21 this year). So we will join our veteran buddies, some who actually experienced the horrors associated with war, and make special preparations for  honoring "the fallen." Many in our Legion family will place flags near the grave stones of veterans in our local Crown Hill Cemetery.

We place larger flags all over the cemetery on Memorial Day. Our labor of devotion starts prior to daybreak.  

Then, members of our honor guard will assemble, with us and community members for a special ceremony in advance of wreath laying at the Wall of Honor near Coulter and Clark in Powell.

We offer thanks to the many families of our many military members interred in Crown Hill Cemetery, who donated flags that once were draped around their veteran's casket, so every avenue in the cemetery can display red, white and blue.

The American Legion Hughes-Pittinger Post #26 (joined by The Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and Bighorn Basin Riders), Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veteran organizations carefully fasten the "casket flags" onto sturdy metal poles and erect them in designated locations next to all the Crown Hill Cemetery sections.

Later in the evening, many individuals return to respectfully stow the flags and the poles until the next annual Memorial Day arrives.

Other ceremonies, to include honor guard salutes, the playing of taps, and wreath laying unite the entire community in honor of service members in our locality, going as far back in time to the Spanish-American War.

I still recall experiences over a period of 20 years, when my children experienced memorials for some of my buddies during my military service. They definitely grew up to appreciate the many sacrifices made by U.S. military members serving throughout the world. 

Later, two of my sons served in combat assignments in U.S. Army and National Guard units. Furthermore, my sole granddaughter is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Ohio. It is also interesting to note that my father, an Air Force pilot (Vietnam veteran), and I also served in the U.S. Air Force. 

Do children in our Powell community demonstrate their appreciation for veterans who live in our local communities? Yes. They do.

My fellow veterans and I are so very thankful for the evident gratitude in our communities  for the selfless service of all that our United States Armed Forces, civilians supporting the War Department, and our courageous first responders; in defense of our liberties.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at americanlegionposg26@gmail.com, if you and your family want to know how you can join us for Memorial Day observances this year.

Ed Morrow 

Powell