FAIRFIELD – Fairfield honored those who lost their lives serving the United States of America during a Memorial Day service Monday morning, May 27 in Central Park.

The Rev. Nathaniel Adkins of First Lutheran Church gave the invocation and benediction. Every year, two local graduating seniors are chosen to recite Gen. Logan’s Orders and The Gettysburg Address, and this year the readings were done by Ella Holderbaum and Evie Messer, both of Fairfield High School. The Tarnished Brass Band also performed.

The featured speaker was Rachel Bru of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Montezuma. Bru spoke about her work with veterans in the VFW Auxiliary and how many members of her family have served in the military, such as her father in World War II in the Pacific, her husband as a Marine in Vietnam, two brothers in Vietnam, and her son in the Army.

Bru told the crowd gathered in Central Park that “freedom is not free,” and that it has come at a great cost in lives. She said that, as folks prepare their barbecues and picnics over the holiday weekend, they should take a moment to remember the 1.3 million soldiers who paid the ultimate price to “ensure our way of life endures.”

Bru told The Union after the ceremony that her husband motivated her to join the VFW Auxiliary since he is also the commander of the VFW post in Montezuma. She said her role is to meet veterans in the community and ensure they’re aware of the benefits and services available to them.

Traditionally, VFW Auxiliary was just for women, but Bru said it has expanded to include any relative of a veteran such as a grandparent, spouse or child.

“We’re speaking with the wives, sons, daughters, everyone,” she said. “They can be anyone related to someone who has served.”

Bru said that concern for veterans is a family affair, with her granddaughter joining the VFW Auxiliary at age 16. Then, three years later, her granddaughter became the VFW Auxiliary president. Bru said the VFW Auxiliary is always looking to add members. She said, for every veteran who served overseas, there are usually about 10 family members who could join the Auxiliary.

“We’re trying to get our numbers built back up, and to keep our smalltown Veterans of Foreign Wars posts open,” Bru said.