060611 Community pays tribute to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice
By Sharon Haught
May 30, 2011
320
Summary: A moving service at the Wayne County Veterans Memorial at Wooster Cemetery capped off a morning of Memorial Day commemorations in Wooster.
Hundreds of community members came together at the Wayne County Veterans Memorial at Wooster Cemetery on Memorial Day for a moving and symbolic ceremony commemorating the fallen heroes who have protected the blessings of liberty.
As uniformed veterans stood watch over the eternal flame, U.S. Army veteran Jason Winkleman reenacted a scene that has played out on battlefields around the world – the Battlefield Cross.
To mark the spot where a soldier falls in battle, the soldiers rifle is placed in the ground to signify that for this person the fight has ended. The soldiers helmet is placed atop the rifle and the soldiers boots are placed at its foot. The cross is completed by added the fallen heros dog tags.
In another highly symbolic action, a barbed wire wreath commemorating the unknown fate of POWs was placed beneath the flag pole before veterans Harry McMorrow and Bob McCarter laid a traditional wreath in honor of their fallen comrades.
Members of American Legion Post 68 also fired a ceremonial rifle volley as the haunting sound of Taps played by a trio of trumpeters from the Wooster High School Marching Band echoed through the cemetery.
Wayne County Prosecutor Dan Lutz, who holds the rank of Captain in the Navy Reserves, served as the keynote speaker for the event.
In his address Lutz spoke of how the service and sacrifice of The Greatest Generation defined American culture until the 1960s when a counter culture movement arose.
A new generation came of age wearing tie dye and love beads - a generation that never had to sacrifice for anyone or anything, said Lutz.
They considered themselves radicals and that they were. They rebelled against everything that defined America up until that point, said Lutz.
Their primary motivation in life was evident in the slogans they chanted such as make love not war, drop acid not bombs, said Lutz adding they were a generation that did not appreciate the price of freedom but yet they used freedom to advocate doing anything that they wanted to do.
Sadly what was counter cultural in the 1960s - what was deemed radical back then - has become the cultural norm today. Unfortunately the self indulgent anything goes attitude that began over four decades ago now dominates American society except in the United States armed forces, Lutz continued.
Lutz contrasted popular culture with the values embodied in the members of the military.
In sharp contrast to todays self centered culture, our service men and women, ironically, appear to be the new counter cultural radicals as they choose to serve rather than be served, as they abide by core values such as honor, courage and commitment, as they voluntarily put their lives on the line for others, said Lutz.
So on Memorial Day we honor the service and sacrifice of those who wore camouflage rather than tie dye. We remember those who lived and died by mottos such as service before self and always faithful rather than by self serving slogans such as if it feels good do it, said Lutz.
Lutz noted that the veterans remembered on Memorial Day have left us a legacy not only of freedom but a legacy of service and sacrifice.
If we truly want to honor them then we must continue their legacy through our own sacrificial service, by helping others in need said Lutz.
By serving others Americans set an example for their children and their childrens children.
Because they have personally witnessed you serving and sacrificing they themselves will follow your example, said Lutz adding that then will be a life really lived and a legacy that will echo in eternity.
