Memorial Day observed, not celebrated in Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT — Keeping with age-old tradition, many gathered in Mt. Pleasant Monday morning to commemorate Memorial Day and honor the men and women served the United States of America in the name of maintaining freedom.

“We do not celebrate Memorial Day, we observe Memorial Day,” State Senator and Marine Veteran Jeff Richman said. “ … We’re here today to honor heroes who have given all they can give so others can enjoy freedom.”

Beginning the service, the VFW and American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries presented the colors.

During the presentation of the colors, two unique flags accompanied others representing the United States of America, Iowa, POW-MIA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and Air Force.

Alongside these more well-known flags, these veterans also presented a flag specifically designed to represent Henry County Military and one of the first Space Force flags.

The younger generation participated in the ceremony as Mt. Pleasant High School band played the national anthem under the direction of Dan DePriest.

Mt. Pleasant High School student Summer Schroeder captured the beauty of Memorial Day remembrances as she sang “America, the Beautiful” accompanied by members of the high school band before Richman drew attendees in with a story of heroic Medal of Honor recipient Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie Earl Howard from Burlington.

According to Richman, Howard led 18 men through an attack from Viet Cong forces.

“His courageous example and firm leadership inspired and motivated his men to withstand an unrelenting fury of hostile fire,” Richman said. “He constantly shouted encouragement to his men and exhibited imaginative and resourcefulness in directing the Return fighter.”

According to Richman, during this attack Howard suffered a severe injury to his leg but kept going.

“He distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and continued to maintain radio communication, and accurately called in airstrikes,” Richman said.

Richman encouraged those attending the observance ceremony in Mt. Pleasant to honor those that sacrificed for freedom by trying to make this country a better place.

“The men and women who died for our freedom represent a diverse background and patchwork of the United States of America,” Richman stated. “They were rich, poor, black, white, male, and female. They were from cities, farms, and suburbs. They came from every ethnicity and background.”

“So, let's take this time to remember those heroes, the men and women who have given their lives for this great country,” he said. “Let us reflect on their courage, their sacrifice and their dedication to a cause greater than themselves.”

“And let us recommit ourselves to the cause of freedom, justice, and democracy so that the legacy of our fallen heroes will live on for generations to come,” Richman urged.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com