CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) -  Despite very warm temperatures and not knowing how this day would go in today’s COVID-19 society, nearly 100 veterans, their families and other members of this community, along with others missing their own city’s service, arrived to show gratitude to those who have died in service to their country.

Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637 again put together this year’s time to remember. The semi-outdoor service, appropriately socially distanced, took on an even more somber mood than usual, knowing those who were there were compelled to not let one year go by without being present to say ‘thank you’ to those who gave their lives for them, and to honor surviving veterans and the families of all who have served. 

Jim Monteton, Judge Advocate of Post 637, American Legion and Sylvan Cemetery board member emceed the service.

A powerful Pledge of Allegiance, followed by prayer offered by Post Chaplain Barry Fitzgerald started off the day.

Music was provided by Citrus Heights resident and singer Tom Galovich, beginning with the Star Spangled Banner and Armed Forces Medley, honoring those present from each branch of service.

Monteton explained the presence of the Soldier’s Cross which represents the fallen, and the Empty Chair honoring those Missing in Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (PO) who never returned home.

Post 637 Commander Sylvia Thweatt reminded all of the history of countries honoring their fallen going back to Greek and Roman days to today.

Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, spoke on this day being our most important holiday and how this country, the greatest nation on earth is now experiencing a new challenge. We are now fighting an invisible enemy, COVID 19, in the same way we have fought and won other wars, by continuing to look after one another and fighting to protect our freedoms.

A common theme of the day was the real loss when someone dies in service of their country: the life they lived and the life they would have lived.  He noted those who would never be a parent or a grandparent and who might have gone on to find a cure for cancer, or create that next great invention.

Another theme was to honor the hard work and sacrifice of not only our veterans on active duty but of the spouses and families left behind on the home front.

Jim Monteton added that all veterans signed the contract, with no expiration date, to support and defend (with our lives) the (whole) Constitution of the United States of America from all enemies foreign and domestic. A round of applause followed by cheers met Monteton’s conclusion that to “see people walking and stepping all over pieces of the Constitution” during this peace-time is “a slap in the face” and more to all veterans, including the over three million that never returned home. “The Constitution is the law of the land and we want to keep it the way it was meant to be” for us.

Monteton gave a special thank you to the more than 30 members of the community of all ages who showed up Thursday for four hours to put 1,400 grave side flags on every veteran’s grave.

To end the memorial, Galovich was joined by all present to a memorable rendition of God Bless the USA-I’m Proud to be an American which would make Lee Greenwood proud!