Memorial Day: 'Solemn, peaceful and respect'

Ask Rocky Hart what Memorial Day means and the normally outgoing veteran will turn serious in an instant.

“Three words,” he said following a pair of Memorial Day observance ceremonies conducted by VFW Wild Horse Plains Post 3529 in Plains. “Solemn, peaceful and respect.”

Those words reflect the overwhelming mindset of veterans, their families and those who see reverence in the actions of fallen soldiers who are honored in Memorial Day ceremonies throughout the state and country.

Backed by honor guards from the VFW and the VFW Auxiliary, a group of veterans, friends and family members gathered last Tuesday at the Plains Cemetery for the traditional Memorial Day ceremony which featured readings of scripture and placement of American flags and flowers to honor those interred in the hilltop cemetery overlooking the scenic valley spread out below.

Post Commander Ron Kilbury spoke of the “responsibility” we all have to take time to honor those who fell in battle and those who served their country and have since passed away.

“This ground here is hallowed ground,” Kilbury told the group of about 50 who gathered for the ceremony as the Honor Guard stood at attention. “They represent the flag that still flies over a land of free people, thanks to their sacrifices."

Prayers and words of respect enveloped the ceremony as a quiet reverence swept over the headstones and markers, much like the wisps of distant rain clouds floating peacefully over the valley below.

Wild Horse VFW member and former US Army veteran Jim Gillibrand said he attends the ceremonies as a show of respect for the fallen warriors who lie at peace in the cemetery.

“This has to be a memorable day, a moment in history to show our respect and give thanks to those who gave their lives for the country, we cannot let this get lost in our history,” said the Army veteran.

Those words were echoed by veteran Dan Johnson of Plains.

“We come to honor these veterans and to keep the memory of their sacrifices alive,” Johnson said.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony at the cemetery, the group drove to the bridge over the Clark Fork River near the Sanders County Fairgrounds. There the group marched to the center of the span and repeated words of solemn honor as a flower wreath was dropped into the snowmelt-swollen river in honor of the area’s many Navy veterans.

With that, the day’s ceremonies came to and end and many in the crowd made their way to the VFW for another round of fellowship with their brothers and sisters in arms.

“Remember,” said Hart, himself a veteran of more than 15 years. “Those three words are what this day is all about.”