By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Despite the stormy, rainy morning weather, the skies parted just in time for Olan Forest Smith VFW Post 8577 and its Auxiliary of Copperas Cove to hold their annual Memorial Day remembrance event at the Copperas Cove cemetery where the veterans paid tribute to all those brave military men and women who lost their lives serving this country.
“As veterans, we know that we gather not for barbecues, sales, or the unofficial start of summer. We gather to remember. We gather to honor. We gather to pay tribute to the men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion to this nation. We gather for Memorial Day. It’s a day etched in blood, forged in sacrifice, and hallowed by the memory of heroes. It’s a day to walk among the silent rows of white stones in our national cemeteries, to read the names etched in granite, and to feel the profound absence of those who should be standing here with us today,” read VFW Post Commander Ron Abrahamson during the group’s tribute.
The VFW and Auxiliary planned to hold the remembrance outdoors if the lightning stopped, or indoors if it continued. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and they were able to hold the event at the cemetery, and they were able to honor all those who died in combat in the armed services.
“The people we honor today were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. They were ordinary people called to arms who did extraordinary things. They left behind families, dreams and futures, all for something larger than themselves. They died so that we might live,” read Abrahamson. “And that, my friends, is why we must remember. We must remember the true cost of our freedom and that we owe them a debt that we can never repay. We must remember that freedom is not free…and that it was purchased with the blood of our nation’s truest patriots. We must remember all of this and not just today, but every day.”
At the conclusion of the remembrance, the VFW pays special tribute to their namesake, Olan Forest Smith, who is buried in the Copperas Cove Cemetery.
This year, Rick Diamond, Smith’s grandson, attended the remembrance for the first time making the trip from Austin.
“It was beautiful,” said Diamond of the tribute. “This is a good way to remember that what we do with our lives really matters.”
Diamond said that his grandfather enlisted in the military in 1942 saying, “I think they can use my help.” Smith went into training to be a replacement but was ultimately deployed to Germany. Smith was killed during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest.
Diamond said that his grandfather’s death had a huge impact on his mother’s family—his mother was only four at the time. He said that Abrahamson’s words during the Memorial Day tribute really impacted him, especially the part where he talked about how each of those fallen soldiers was an individual—a person with his or her own story and life.
“These are real people,” said Diamond. “He was a dad. He was a husband. He was a farmer. He was a real person,” said Diamond about Smith.
Abrahamson said that it’s important to teach future generations about those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to share their names and their stories. He said that it’s easy for people to forget about the importance of Memorial Day and to treat it like just another day off, but it is important to him and other veterans to make sure to visit the cemetery and do their part to keep their memories alive and honor their legacy.
“This is the best way to serve veterans,” said Lucy Anastasio, President of the VFW Auxiliary.
After the remembrance at the cemetery, the VFW and Auxiliary invited the public to enjoy a free hotdog/hamburger meal at the VFW complete with various desserts and side dishes. Anastasio said that they were on track to triple the number of people served this year from last year’s numbers.
She said that the job of the Auxiliary is to support veterans, and one of the things they always try to promote is helping children to learn about what soldiers do, about the flag, the meaning of the poppy, and about the importance of days like Memorial Day. She said that this year, three of their teen volunteers joined the Auxiliary.
“It’s important for children to see and to understand the importance of a service member passing away,” said Anastasio.
Willow Gardner (9) and Marcus Bilotti (10) were two of many members of Pack 251 who attended the Memorial Day event. The two have each participated for six years now. The scouts typically place American flags at the cemetery but did not this year due to the weather. Still, many members of Pack 251 wanted to make sure they at least attended the remembrance.
“It’s to remember,” said Bilotti.
“They sacrificed for the whole entire United States,” said Gardner.
Both children have parents who are currently active-duty members of the military with Bilotti’s father serving, and both of Gardner’s parents serving.
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