Local American Legion Holds Annual Memorial Day Celebration

Kelsey Arrington

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

Tall free standing American flags, miscellaneous cars and their occupants lined the Greenwood Cemetery drives for the annual Memorial Day Service put on by Sidney's American Legion Post #17. A potential record attendance, the Monday morning remembrance commemorated 156 years of recognition for those who have valiantly served our country and never returned home again. As the red, white and blue enveloped the attendees, a peaceful and serene stillness crept over the crowd.

To formally kick off the ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all, before Ty Gruning, a recent graduate of Sidney High School, sang the Star Spangled Banner acapella.

After, a prayer led by Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Pastor Peter Morgan, set the tone for the ceremony. "We pause today to remember and reflect on all those who have gone before us and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. We pause to remember today the freedoms and the liberties that this country affords us," he continued, "We come together today to remember all those who fought, and those who died to give us that freedom."

"A place for quiet remembrance and conversation for those who have gone before us," Retired Army Colonel, Larry Nelson, mentions. Nelson, the plenary speaker, spoke of over 900 veterans laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery which was established in 1896. He then recited a formal patriotic Proclamation in regard to the recognition of Nebraska's own Memorial Day from the current Governor, Jim Pillen, which reads as follows:

Memorial Day has been officially celebrated since May 1868, commemorating the defenders of our Republic during the Civil War; and on this 27th day of May, 2024, Memorial Day is as powerful and meaningful as it was 156 years ago; for today, America finds herself again engaged in the protection of our freedoms. Today, our nation calls once again to those who will answer to defend our liberty, our security, and our shores; and more than one million of America's sons and daughters have given their last full measure in defense of liberty and justice throughout the 247 years that our democratic republic has flourished; and the bright flame of American courage will continue to light our way and illuminate our judgement as we uphold our governing principles and share our sacred ideals of liberty and freedom the world over; and let us today remember those who have fallen, whether in the past few days or the past centuries, let us thank them for the most precious gift they have bestowed on a most grateful nation, their very lives.

I, Jim Pillen, Governor of the State of Nebraska, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM the 27th day of May, 2024, as MEMORIAL DAY in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all citizens to take due note of the observance.

Nelson went on to recount direct testimonies from veterans who have faced both the struggles and success' post war. He also gave first hand account to the efforts given to locate and commemorate forgotten servicemen and women buried in the three mental hospital cemeteries located throughout Nebraska. Connecting the dots through either last names, bullet wounds or even unusual tattoos through old hospital records, the work is being done to rightfully remember those who sacrificed so much and have laid forgotten since. Nelson had this to say in regards to Sidney's own military cemetery, "The people who are buried here today need your thought and your consideration."

Nelson then took the time to properly thank all those who made the celebration, as well as everyday veterans affairs in Cheyenne County possible. The numerous volunteers who spent their Friday placing over 900 flags on graves throughout Greenwood Cemetery, the Boy Scouts of America for their time in placing the flags gracing the drives surrounding the plots, the City of Sidney and specifically the Park Department for their care and precision take into keeping Greenwood looking clean cut, Les Larson and Dennis Tuzicka for their considerate and thoughtful care of the large American flag located by Memorial Gardens in Legion Park, and Fred Wiedeburg who is presently in charge of Veteran's Services in Sidney.

A memorial wreath was then laid by Jan Gusman in honor of her husband, Ron Gusman, a former Veteran's Association Officer as well as a retired State Patrol Officer. The service was concluded with Gruning leading the audience in a rendition of America The Beautiful.

Author Bio

Kelsey Arrington, Staff Reporter

Cheyenne County native, local business owner.