CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Over 100 veterans, family and guests arrived at Sylvan Cemetery on May 29, 2023, for the traditional Memorial Day Service. The nearly full gazebo did not go unnoticed, there was a new energy in the air, it was good to be back following several years of low attendance.

American Legion Post 637 Chaplain James Jamison opened the service with a prayer, setting the tone for the service, praying “we never forget the sacrifice of our brave men and women who gave their all for our country and our freedom.”

As is tradition, the Harmony Express men’s choral group performed the Armed Forces Medley with members of the Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force standing as their song was sung.

American Legion Post 637, member and Master of Ceremony, Paul Reyes welcomed all veterans and guests.

Reyes spoke of the coming of the Vietnam Wall that Heals to Citrus Heights for five days in March and April, coinciding with National Vietnam War Veterans Day March 29. The Wall is a three-quarter replica of the Vietnam Wall at Arlington, holding the names of more than 58,000 fallen men and women, including eight female nurses.

County Supervisor Sue Frost, a Citrus Heights native, returned to this venue to honor those veterans who gave their lives for their country.  She recognized honored guests, former County Supervisor Roberta McGlashan, former Congressman Doug Ose, and former Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins. Citrus Heights City Council members Tim Schaefer, Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Jane Lopez-Taff, and City Manager Ash Feeney were also recognized.

Frost said, “It’s important that we never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for freedom, that we remember and teach our children and grandchildren our history. “That we teach them to love and respect our nation, to appreciate our way of life and to respect those who have sacrificed to preserve it. Let us remind ourselves today that freedom is a gift from God and that each generation has paid in flesh and blood to preserve it. Because they lived and died – we can each live out our best life. Let’s thank them by living out our best life, every day.”

Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte recognized that while the armed forces and law enforcement are separate entities, they are kindred spirits.  Both have lost many serving their country and locally.  While Memorial Day is about those we have lost, it is important to remember those still here who remember those lost: “Give them space, let them remember, process, let them know they are here for a reason, your love is with them, and those who are lost will never be forgotten.”

Citrus Heights Mayor Tim Schaefer spoke of the importance of understanding one’s duty. It carries immense responsibility with a call to action and a moral obligation to serve something greater than oneself, holding others’ needs before our own. We hold the same values and principles upon which our nation was built. We hold others’ needs before our own. Those we honor understood the true meaning of duty and knew that freedom is not free.

We can fulfill our own duty in whatever job we have or in our place in society so their legacy can live on. Schaefer acknowledged the sacrifice of the eight females whose names are on the Wall.

Jim Monteton, Sylvan Cemetery board member and member of Post 637, reviewed each of the wars fought by Americans with the number killed, from the Revolutionary War through the Cold War and covert events to the most recent Middle East wars – totaling over 1,425,000. He reminded us that some of these wars were Americans fighting other Americans. He spoke of his painful return home to San Francisco from Vietnam and how the media misportrayed the war, leaving those who fought never formally recognized and appreciated until President Trump established March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. He ended with the words, “Hate the war, not the warrior.”

American Legion 637 Commander Sylvia Thweatt retold the poignant story of Colonel Strong Vincent, a major hero of that battle, whose quick thinking and selflessness was integral to the Union winning at the Battle of Gettysburg. Before Vincent’s death President Lincoln promoted him to the rank of brigadier general just 4 days before his death on July 7, 1863, at the age of 26.

Reyes thanked the Sylvan Cemetery Manager, CHPD Honor Guard, and Harmony Express for their help with the service.

Harmony Express closed with a rendition of “May God Hold You in the Palm of his Hand” and Chaplain Jamison offered a closing prayer.