Today, tens of thousands of American flags are flying next to grave markers in city cemeteries from coast to coast. They designate the men and women who gave their lives on distant lands, and whose bodies were returned to their communities to be near family and friends and to where they spent their youth. Many other flags are flying at military cemeteries, and at the numerous cemeteries overseas on specially designated American soil.
For those military men and women, their loved ones chose to have them interred near where they fell, alongside their comrades. The result is rows and rows of crosses more likely to be visited by citizens of those countries than by Americans. The esteem generated by those graves reflects well on this country.
It is our responsibility, all of us who enjoy the many joys and opportunities that come from being an American, to take at least a moment today to remember those who gave their lives ensuring this country’s future and freedoms in like-minded democracies elsewhere in the world.
It is to our credit that, in the spring of 2015, when the most immediate wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did not go as expected, we do not let that prevent us from remembering the lives of fellow Americans that were lost. Whether these were wars that were based on baseless fears or too lofty expectations, or that our allies’ governments and militaries failed us, or a combination of all three, they were fought by American men and women as vigorously as possible. As it turned out, many did not come home.
Nor are those wars entirely over. Americans still have advisory roles on the ground in both countries, and American pilots fly overhead, some in aircraft launched from U.S. Navy ships. Just outside the borders of those countries are men and women gathering intelligence and contributing in other ways to the fight.
Those military men and women remain at risk.
Durangoans have several choices as to where to participate in Memorial Day events:
At 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Memorial on the bank of the Animas River adjacent to the city planning offices and the fire department.
At 11 a.m. at the memorial at the entrance to Greenmount Cemetery.
At noon a wreath will be placed in the river from the Ninth Street Bridge in memory of those who died at sea.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars at 1550 Main Avenue and the American Legion at 878 East Second Avenue will have open houses beginning at 1 p.m.
At the far southeastern corner of La Plata County, there will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. at the Allison Cemetery on County Road 329.
And in Ignacio, A Day of Remembrance will be held at 10 a.m. at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
If you cannot attend an event, please shut out the rest of the world for a few minutes and thank those who gave their lives keeping this country free.
