The Wood Lake Legion Post 202 held their Memorial Day service at the Wood Lake Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., Sunday May 29, 2011.  Mrs. Virginia Nelsen, past National Historian of the American Legion Auxiliary of Valentine was the guest speaker for this event.  

She said in part: 

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I am so proud to be part of your ceremony, it means a great deal to me.

Author Earl Hamner's quote from Walton's Mountain resonates with me today. "A neglected grave is a shameful thing.  I visited your peaceful cemetery this past week and my compliments to all of you. No one here has anything to be ashamed of; on the contrary, your avenue of flags is a proud tribute and this is a beautiful place.

Governor Heineman said last week, "Memorial Day is an opportunity to salute the heroes who have served our nation with honor and those who are serving today." This is why we have gathered. We are here to honor the cost of living in a free republic. Those words are really enough, it is that simple.  

We are commemorating Decoration Day or as it is now called Memorial Day. We place flowers, we make visitations, we wear poppies, we remember and we pray. We remember veterans who have gone before. We feel sorrow for their loss and at the same time we are thankful for their service. It is a bittersweet sentiment. 

In 1863 President Lincoln wrote "Honor to the Soldier and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause". 

Most of you here know that Decoration Day has its origins from the Civil War. It was the grieving mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of fallen heroes who I believe really began this tradition. It fell to them to visit, tend, and beautify the resting places of their loved ones, keeping their memory alive and offering them that one small comfort left. 

Many of them soon discovered that their men were interred very far away; but there were many soldiers' graves within reach. So with sincere and faithful caring they began to tend and care for the graves that they could; graves that were nearby, regardless of who   they fought for. 

Their effort of love put us on the path of remembrance and respect that we follow today. 

In just the last six or seven weeks our country has begun a four year journey to commemorate the War Between the States, which began 150 years ago. 

Right here in Wood Lake we have a few men who fought in that war and a few more who I suspect were also veterans of the Civil War. 

Private Patrick Herron was born in 1843. He served from August 8, 1864 to June 20 1865 with Company H, 43rd Regiment of the Wisconsin Infantry. He ended his service in Nashville at the end of the war.  

Private John Day born in 1840 served in the Army.

Among others who may have also served in the Civil War are: Joseph Burbank born in 1833; Daniel Parker born in 1840; M.E.Day born in 1846; Washington Honey born in 1843; and finally John J. Thomas, there are no dates, but his stone has the proper and familiar shield configuration of the Grand Army of the Republic, and it states: Company I, 5th of New York. 

I did a search on him thru the magic of technology this is what I now know: The 5th Regiment of New York is legendary for its discipline and bravery. John was age 21 on August 5, 1862 when he enlisted at Martinsburgh. He started as a private in Company A, Third Battalion, Black River Artillery on September 11, 1862, and committed to serve for three years. Company A then became Company I of New York on December 31, 1862. He mustered out on June 24, 1865 at Harpers Ferry Virginia (now West Virginia).  

I am not a Civil War history expert but I do know enough to be sure that these were the three  longest years of his life and that this young man saw many months of terrible fighting at the very crossroad of this war. There was an armory in Harpers Ferry and it is exactly positioned where a river cuts thru the Appalachian Mountain valleys to reach a number of major battlefields; in fact the town itself changed hands eight times during the war. 

Overall you have recorded that there are sixty-three veterans laid to rest here and mayhap a few more.

It is important to say their names, all the names, out loud; it brings them here with us today. We are responsible for their memory of service and sacrifice.

In 1908 our Congress adopted the words "In God We Trust" to be required on many of our coins in perpetuity.  From 1938 on, all coins have borne the motto, and from 1956 to 1966 it was incorporated into all our currency. This phrase gained its popularity during the Civil War.  It has been included in many hymns and patriotic songs, even our national anthem. It makes perfect sense that these words would mean so much to citizens back then, as it does to us now; we are a people at war.  

Truly, could any of us get by without the Lord's guidance and strength during and after war? I am absolutely sure that it was this that led those women with their burden of loss to decorate and tend the graves of soldiers from afar. 

The men who fostered this phrasing to be adopted by Congress were the same men who experienced war and loss of family in the war first hand. 

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed by a General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (I understand it was the most powerful veterans group in our history), and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when about 5,000 volunteers placed flowers on the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, General Robert E. Lee�s front lawn.

To see the motto "In God We Trust" on our currency everyday makes my heart swell with pride.  It is a domino effect from the Civil War era; I believe it is a salute to God and our veterans. 

On this Decoration Day I want to personally remember and offer thanks be to God for all those men and women who have gone before and fought for our country down the years. 

Ill end with a prayer I adapted from the old hymn Melita that I�ve said everyday for my own son in the Armed Forces.

�O Trinity of love and power,

Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe,  Protect them whosesoever they go; Thus evermore shall rise to thee Glad praise from air and land and sea. O Father, hear us when we pray For those we love so far away. 

Amen.

Veterans, all, I am grateful for your service and sacrifice.

The ladies Auxiliary under the leadership of President Norma Cozad, Yvonne Reyman, Elsie Coble, Frances Shubert, Arlene Ries, Donna Ries and children and Jean Pinney placed the crosses, flags and poppies for the deceased military member's graves prior to the service.

 Seventy-two flags were placed on individual poles by Jr. Ries, Commander, Willard Hollopeter, Bill Williams, Jim Hale and Claude Reyman.  Pastor Don Letellier of Wood Lake gave the opening and closing prayer.  Don and Anna Mae Letellier sang the National Anthem and Anna Mae Letellier played taps.  Commander Jr. Ries presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Don and Anna Mae Letellier, Claude Reyman, and  David Mickey of Lincoln, NE, for their active participation in the Memorial Day service for the past several years.

The Sergeant of Arms, Mr. Joe Kreycik of Wood Lake and color guard members, honored the deceased with the colors and firing a three volley of rounds with their weapons.  Three individuals, CPL Josiah W. Hollopeter, Raymond F. Jones and John Cozad were given tribute for their service to the United States of America.

 Refreshments were provided by the ladies auxiliary at the dedication ceremonies following the service.  Elsie Mundorf provided refreshments to auxiliary members.