New London honors Veterans

NEW LONDON — VFW Commander Dave McGregor led the charge of a solemn Memorial Day ceremony in New London, Monday.

“When the call of our country was heard our heroes answered,” McGregor said to open the ceremony. “Their personal wants and needs were set aside in the cause of a greater good. They served their nation with an abiding faith in their God, their country, and their flag.”

McGregor stood at the center of the Veteran’s Memorial, surrounded by tablets filled with the names of servicemen and women, and guarded by two service member statues.

Dennis Linden lead the group in prayer.

Vietnam Navy combat veteran Tom Weir attended the ceremony.

“We’ve got to maintain our history,” he said of the importance to attending Memorial Day services, “We need to honor our veterans for serving well.”

Weir comes from a family of men who chose to serve their country in combat, so the day is incredibly important to him.

In fact, Weir commented that the New London service was his third for the weekend.

Weir, other veterans, and community members sat in reverence of the sacrifice the men and women had made for this country.

Veterans who have passed away were honored with a presentation of a red, white, and blue wreath as well as taps.

“The official military Taps is played by a single bugle or trumpet at dusk, during flagt ceremonies and at military funerals by the United States armed forces,” McGregor said.

The Honor Guard fired three volleys to honor Fallen Heroes and Taps began to play immediately after.

BANG, the volleys rang.

“Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, may the soldier or sailor, God keep. On the land or the deep, safe in sleep,” McGregor read unofficial lyrics to Taps.

BANG, they continued.

“Love, good night, must thou go, when the day, and the night need thee so? All is well, Speedth all to their rest,” he continued.

BANG, and the bugle began to soar.

“Thanks and praise, for our days, ‘Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky, as we go this we know, God is nigh,” McGregor recited.

Silently, the crowd took off their hats at the sound of that first volley, and they sat, in reverence, remembering the sacrifices of those who came before.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com