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By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Members of the public and American Legion Post 49 attended Warsaw’s 2024 Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery.
Before the service began, the Salvation Army Brass performed. Salvation Army Envoy Ken Locke welcomed guests and introduced the guest speaker, Larry Burkhart, retired U.S. Air Force member, American Legion second district manager and member of American Legion Post 49.
“A lot of people don’t understand what it takes to write your name on a piece of paper, and say ‘I will do whatever it takes for my country to survive,” said Burkhart. “A lot of people don’t understand what it means to go out and carry a brother or sister off the battlefield.”
Burkhart shared one of the hardest things he did in the Air Force was to transport a dead soldier home. He added he was raised that “big boys don’t cry,” or showed their emotions, and many veterans carry internal scars.
“And they took those scars upon themselves, that we may live in a country and be free. And know that if we’re ever attacked, they would step up and go back into the service,” said Burkhart.
Burkhart said Memorial Day was a day of gratitude, “to take time to express our appreciation and give thanks to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Some members of the audience were present to honor family members.
“I think it’s important to remember the ones that fought for our freedoms, that actually we’re holding onto by a thread at this point in time,” said Jackie Elliot, whose father served during World War II. “So that’s super important to me that I come in to try and honor those who did fight for our country.”
After Burkhart finished, the American Legion Post 49’s Honor Guard performed a gun salute and taps were played across Oakwood Cemetery.
