Memorial Day message: Air Force veteran speaks about freedom, sacrifice at Monday services

A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force expressed gratitude for the sacrifices of veterans and for the freedoms American citizens enjoy as the keynote speaker at Memorial Day Services in Byron, Cowley and Lovell Monday morning conducted by Robert Boyd Stewart American Legion Post 11.

Kim Curtis, a respiratory therapist at North Big Horn Hospital, urged those in attendance to appreciate the blessings they enjoy as Americans and to honor veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“I am honored to be asked to speak on Memorial Day,” Curtis said. “It is a very important day for our country.  We are so fortunate to be able to gather in this beautiful cemetery on Memorial Day with the Pryor and Big Horn mountains surrounding us, gathering without the requirement of a permit, without police required. We are fortunate to be able to drive to this event without permission and without crossing any check points.  We are fortunate to live in homes and not a cardboard box where we have to cook on the floor.

“The flags in this beautiful cemetery are overwhelming. I am overwrought with emotions.  Under (some of) the flags lie veterans that gave the ultimate sacrifice. They lie here in Byron, Cowley and Lovell today. They did not get to come home; their loved ones did not get closure.  Some of the flags are flown for veterans that did come home, and they had to fit back into a family that had learned to adjust with being without their military member.”

Curtis said those who serve in the armed forces make sacrifices, as do their families.

“The veteran had to learn to live with their experiences they saw while away and the memories of war they had experienced on many levels,” she said. “For some of those veterans there was not much help. For the families there was even less help post war. This community gathers and helps, and we are lucky. Many families had great help while their loved ones were deployed; some had none. Those veterans that returned had to learn how to fit back in, which can be very difficult.  

“As I look out, I see faces in the crowd I recognize. I know that many of you have veterans in your families. If you have not taken 10 minutes to talk with family members that are veterans about their experiences in the military, please do so.  You will know your loved one better after hearing about their experiences, difficulties, triumphs and their feeling upon returning home. As you look around the crowd today, recognize those individuals you’ve known for a long time.  Stop for a moment and say, ‘Hi, glad to see you today.’ We never know when it will be the last time we are fortunate enough to see the ones we care about.

“I was a lucky one. I got to return home to my three babies, my parents, my nieces and nephews, family and friends.  So many didn’t return. Each night as they would load soldiers, sailors and airmen onto aircraft in coffins covered with the U.S. flag, I felt a great sense of honor to load these heros that paid the ultimate sacrifice for their love of country. Sometimes it is a difficult memory, but again, I was a fortunate one. I get to have that memory as I got to come home.”

Memorial Day is far more than a three-day, beginning-of-summer holiday, Curtis said, noting, “Memorial Day is not just a holiday, it’s a solemn reminder of the price of freedom. It’s a day to honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve and gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their sacrifices have secured the liberties we enjoy today. Let us never forget the courage, dedication and selfless service of those who came before us. 

“As we honor the memory of those who have passed, we remember their stories, their triumphs, their struggles and their ultimate sacrifice. We stand here to show them our gratitude, not with words alone, but with our actions. Let us be inspired by their courage and dedication to live lives that are worthy of their memory. We can honor their memory by supporting veterans and their families, by advocating for policies that protect our country and by ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

As Americans more and more began to focus on Memorial Day as a summer kickoff holiday weekend, Congress in 2000 passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, which calls on all citizens to honor fallen heroes on Memorial Day by pausing whatever they are doing at 3 p.m. local time for a moment of silence, Curtis said, or driving with headlights on, waving flags or playing “Taps” on a trumpet or bugle.

“Beyond that one moment of silence at 3 p.m., how will you honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and start promoting the true significance of Memorial Day within your family?” Curtis asked, adding, “Let us carry their memory with us in our hearts and minds. Let us be good stewards of the freedoms they fought to protect. Let us show them our gratitude by living lives of integrity, compassion and service. Let us be committed to building a brighter future, one that honors their legacy.

“We must ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain. We must support veterans and their families, advocate for policies that protect our nation and continue to remember and honor their memory.”

Curtis concluded by saying, “As we stand here today, let us remember the profound meaning of Memorial Day. Let us honor those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms. Let us be inspired by their courage and dedication. Let us pledge to carry their memory with us, to live lives that are worthy of their sacrifice and to continue to build a brighter future, one that honors their legacy.

“May we never forget their sacrifices. May their memory inspire us to continue to serve our nation, to support our veterans and to protect the freedoms they fought so hard to secure.”

The ceremonies

Post 11 commander Nicolle Laffin was the master of ceremonies for the three local Memorial Day services. Chaplain Jim Thomas gave the prayer and laid flowers at each cemetery. Lovell High School choir members under the direction of Carissa French sang a patriotic medley.

John Frasier of Post 26, Powell, Jack Nicholls and Scott Fink and made up the color guard, and Leroy Collins, Bruce Dempster and Tom Dillon served as the rifle squad. All marched into the ceremony at the beat of drummer Meg Anderson. Dale Fowler and David Peck played “Taps.”