We Remember...

by Tiffany Turner

Every May, one special Monday is set aside for the remembrance of soldiers lost while in service to our nation. The day can also mark the beginning of summer, a three day weekend. It is easy to get caught up in barbecues and camping and various other fun pastimes and sometimes the original reason for setting aside and celebrating the day gets lost in the shuffle.

Memorial Day was first proclaimed May 5, 1868, by General John Logan and it was observed on May 30 of that year by decorating both Union and Confederate graves in Arlington Cemetery. Since then, the day respectfully includes and remembers all of our fallen soldiers from all wars.

Many programs exist throughout the U.S. to support the holiday, including the placing of flags on veteran’s graves, parades, candle lighting and the poppies made by disabled veterans and distributed by the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

“As we approach Memorial Day, everyone at Town Hall wants to extend our thoughts and appreciation to all of those who have served in the armed forces from our community,” said Pinedale Mayor’s Assistant Lauren McKeever.

In Pinedale this year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4801 will sponsor services in the Pinedale Cemetery followed by lunch at the VFW club for all who wish to join in.

“We have a service up at the cemetery at 11 (a.m.),” said VFW Post Commander Jim Washam.

“Memorial Day is for the veterans. We’re honoring all the vets who have died and have been killed in action... That is why we place the wreaths up there.”

It will be a full service at Pinedale’s Cemetery, Washam said, complete with “a nice salute” to all the veterans buried there.

There will be an 11 a.m. ceremony honoring deceased veterans in Big Piney at the Plainview Cemetery as well. In addition to services planned for Memorial Day itself, Washam and other Sublette veterans are working hard for some time to bring a yearround memorial to the American Legion Park in remembrance of the service of all veterans.

The memorial, tentatively approved and budgeted for by the different governmental agencies, will head back to Pinedale’s Town Council soon, as the final placement site for the memorial has been chosen in the park.

“It’s going to be toward the back,” Washam said. “I think we found a good place for it.”

“Town officials are working closely with the sponsors of the Veterans’ Memorial which is planned for American Legion Park,” McKeever said. “The memorial project organizer, Jim Washam, is scheduled to attend the Pinedale Council meeting on May 27 to update everyone with the latest information. “The Town Council has supported this project from the early stages and committed dollars for the creation of the memorial,” she added.

In 2000, a national resolution was passed to help Americans remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Called the “National Moment of Remembrance,” the resolution asks everyone to take time at 3 p.m., wherever they are, to “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way.” So if you cannot make it to special ceremonies or have other activities planned, make a quiet moment in your day to say a prayer or listen to that old record of “Taps” – and remember to remember those who have died making and keeping this country what it is.