Thanks to those who honored veterans

To all Marengo Citizens:

May I express my sincere appreciation to those who gathered at the Marengo Cemetery, Gateway Park, and Rose Haven Nursing Home on Memorial Day to honor our veterans who gave time and often their lives in the establishment and preservation of freedom for all of us.

Those in attendance at the events on Memorial Day recognized [veterans] and specially recognized those veterans who had passed away since the previous Memorial Day along with paying tribute to the nearly 500 veterans buried in the Marengo Cemetery.

Also a special thanks to those who devoted time in preparing the cemetery for this day with the mowing, trimming, placement of crosses and flags on veterans’ graves and posting of American flags around the cemetery.

This was a perfect setting in which to teach our children and youth about our country’s history and to explain the cost of our freedom.

This was a reflective and meaningful event in the midst of our “busy” lives but one so very necessary.

I was extremely disappointed as I considered the number assembled for this event in comparison to a much larger group assembled two weeks ago as we played the final Bingo game of the season at the Legion Hall.

En route from the cemetery to Gateway Park, I noted a gathering of our school’s youth at the Iowa Valley Athletic Complex for a practice session which I presume was considered a “must attend” practice.

The absence of many of our community’s leaders was likewise disappointing. What a sad commentary on our country when we cannot pause even one hour to honor those who gave us our freedom.

We must strive tirelessly to make our children and youth aware of the gains and losses that make our country what it is today. Hopefully all will make a more concerted effort next spring to pause on Memorial Day to remember the reason for the observance.

Freedom is not free, and it never was.

A proud American citizen,

Marilyn Rodgers,

Marengo