Memorial Day: A Day of Remembrance

Monday, May 26, marked this year’s Memorial Day. It is often thought of simply as a day off work or a day spent around the grill with family and friends, but the real meaning goes far deeper than that. On Memorial Day, we honor and remember our fallen heroes throughout history that gave it all in the name of freedom.

This year, like many years in the past, veterans, community members, and Washington County officials could be spotted gathered at Crown Hill Cemetery in remembrance of those who gave everything they had so that we could have everything we wanted.

The Memorial Day Ceremony, organized and led by Andrew Bush, began at 11:00 am near the flagpole in the cemetery, and it always begins with a flag ceremony conducted by local Boy Scout Troop 4029 along with “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” performed by the Salem High School Band.

Following the flag ceremony, music, invocation by Ricky Main, and the laying of the wreaths by the ladies of the VFW and DAR, Andrew Bush introduced this year’s guest speaker: Lieutenant Colonel Todd Baker.

Lt. Col. Baker served in the United States Army for 28 years and retired in 2017, and he served in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005 and Iraq in 2008. He also was the Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Southern Indiana where he taught ROTC, and served as the State Training Officer for the Indiana National Guard. At the conclusion of his career, he was the Brigade Operations Officer for the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. Since retiring, Lt. Col. Baker has become the Senior Army Instructor at Vincennes Lincoln High School for JROTC.

Some of his decorations include the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals. In addition, he received the Combat Infantry Badge as well as the Basic Airborne Badge.

Lt. Col. Todd Baker

Lt. Col. Todd Baker

“First off, I want to thank everyone for taking the time to be here today on this most momentous occasion of honoring those who have given all for our country,” began Baker. “When I got asked to speak for today, I thought about what I wanted to talk about. The first thing I wanted to look at was ‘what is Memorial Day? How did it come about? How did it get here?’ Memorial Day is a federal holiday held on the last Monday in May, and it is the nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women.

“Toward the end of the Civil War, and afterwards, people would decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers from the Civil War by stringing flowers across their graves,” he said. “On May 5th, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, led by Major General John Logan issued General Order #11, also called the Memorial Day Act. This established Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day… After WWI, Decoration Day was expanded to honor all who died in all American wars… So that brings us here: one of the many communities around the country remembering our fellow citizens who served our great nation, but are no longer with us. It’s because of these men and women and the sacrifices that they made, including the ultimate sacrifice, that enables us to be the greatest country in the world and to be a beacon of hope and freedom for the rest of the world.

“On this day, I think of my personal feelings with this holiday,” continued Baker. “For me, it’s a time of remembrance. During our deployment in Afghanistan, we lost four Indiana National Guard Soldiers: Specialist Brett Hershey, Specialist Norman Snyder, Master Sergeant Michael Hiester, and Major Michael Fiscus. The two young specialists were just starting their lives. One was a student at Indiana University when we got the call to mobilize. They answered their nation’s call. In 2008 in Iraq, we lost Sergeant Joe Ford. Ford was one of my cadets at the University of Southern Indiana. Great young man… And I can tell you, he was excited to go. He answered his nation’s call with no reservations whatsoever… These soldiers will never be forgotten for their sacrifice and for answering their nation’s call to duty.”

Lt. Col. Baker went on to quote President Ronald Reagan from May 31, 1982. Standing at Arlington Cemetery, President Reagan said, “the United States, and freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply; it has a cost. It imposes a burden. Just as they, whom we commemorate, were willing to sacrifice, so too must we in a less final and less heroic way, be willing to give of ourselves.”

“As you leave here today, please remember these fallen service members so that their memory may live on,” Baker concluded. “Thank you.”

Following Lieutenant Colonel Todd Baker’s speech, a roll call was announced for the service members who have fallen since last year’s Memorial Day. Proceeding that was a tribute by the firing squad, and “Taps” played by a trumpeter of the Salem High School Band.

Firing squad.

SHS Trumpeter.

L-R: Gavin Roop, Van Stephens, Rayden Tarr, Colton Cruse.

As the ceremony came to a close, the message of Memorial Day rang clear: it is not merely a holiday, but a solemn reminder of the sacrifices that built and protected our nation. Through the words of Lieutenant Colonel Todd Baker, Washington County was called once again to show that we remember. This Memorial Day, as every year, we honor the fallen not only with our presence, but with our gratitude and our commitment to carrying forward the legacy they gave their lives to preserve.

Thank you for your service.

Enjoy more photos from the ceremony below.

Andrew Bush.