One post, nine Memorial Day ceremonies, countless memories

“Let us pray, eternal God, we thank thee for this hallowed soil … “

So began a prayer uttered during each of the nine Memorial Day ceremonies that American Legion Post 54 in Chewelah, Wash., conducted May 27. Post members have been performing the ceremonies for decades. At least a half century, but no one knows for sure when the tradition began.

Department Commander Gary Roach joined Post 54 about 14 years ago and was immediately inspired by the ceremonies.

“I thought it was incredible that we would do this many ceremonies in one day,” Roach said. “It was uplifting and a lot of camaraderie that goes along with it. This community is rich with veterans who have fought in all the wars. It’s pretty neat to see the patriotism that they carry all the time. It’s pretty impressive.”

After the prayer, a wreath is laid, and small American flags are placed in a concrete monument, created and funded by the post. Inscribed on each monument is the phrase, “In memory of veterans of all wars.”

A 21-gun salute and Taps follow, then it is time for the American Legion Family delegation to head to the next cemetery to repeat the solemn ceremony.

“Make us worthy, we pray thee, to guard our heritage of pride for all the years to come … “

Post 54 member Michael Ludwig takes immense pride in the events in the community where he has spent nearly his entire life.

“What Memorial Day means to me — whew! — it’s pretty emotional for me,” Ludwig said as he scanned Chewelah Memorial Park where scores of flags and flowers decorated the graves of veterans. “I think of all these veterans who served their country so well. It’s an honor to be here to respect them and say thank you.”

Ludwig’s father and three uncles who all served in World War II are buried in the cemetery, just down the street from the Legion post. “I also have a classmate up on the hill who served seven or eight days in Vietnam before he was killed in action. Another friend from high school passed away; he was an Army vet in Vietnam. There are so many people in the cemetery who I knew.”

The memories come flooding back for Ludwig, a Vietnam War combat vet.

“For me, Memorial Day starts a couple of days ahead,” he said. “I start thinking of things that maybe I don’t like thinking about. There are good memories. There are bad memories. But it’s always about service to me.”

“In memory of these, our dead, may we pledge to our beloved land the same service and the same devotion …

In all, about 300 people — young and old, veterans and civilians — attended the various cemeteries throughout Stevens County.

“It makes my heart feel good knowing that there are people who still care and support the military and those who passed away,” said Ben Paramore, who coordinated this year’s ceremonies. “It’s our honor to do this.”

Sally Paramore, Ben’s wife, has voluntarily placed flags at all the veterans gravesites at Chewelah’s Memorial Park and Pioneer Cemetery for several years. “We stop, talk to each one of the veterans and we salute them when we place the flags, and thank them for their service,” he said. “It makes you feel real good.”

It’s all part of remembering comrades, regardless of their war era, branch of service or anything else.

“It’s important to me to honor their memories, to thank them for the service, their sacrifices,” Paramore said. “They gave up part of their lives in order to protect what we have today.”

Army veteran Joel Carnline of Colville was among the spectators who showed up at Chewelah Memorial Park for one of the services. He was there to honor his father, Johnny Carnline, an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

“To me this is a celebration of the freedom of our country,” Carnline said. “I was very honored to serve in our country for 10 years. Freedom means a lot to me. ”

“And, oh Lord, secure to us ever more the peace for which our comrades died. Amen.”

At 12:22 p.m., the ninth playing of Taps concluded, bringing the services to a close. After nearly 3 ½ hours and 100 miles traveled, Post 54 members returned to their building for a meal, camaraderie and to remember.

Throughout the day, Roach’s thoughts turned to his grandfather, who passed away about six years ago.

“I also think about the guys I served with and who didn’t come home whether it was combat or a training mission,” said Roach, who like his grandfather is a Navy veteran. “I always feel like it doesn’t matter. Either way, they were putting themselves and their lives on the line. I was a helicopter crewman so one guy I think a lot about was killed in a helicopter crash in a training accident.“

For civilians in attendance, Roach is optimistic that the ceremony will have an impact.

“I hope they leave with a sense of pride in their nation, a sense of sorrow for those who didn’t make it home, and the ones who actually had to live with (the loss) for a long time,” he said. “And hopefully they will teach their kids about patriotism, teach them what it means to be an American citizen and what it means to preserve the memories of those people who passed because they fought for a reason. And that reason is the same reason that I am out here today doing what I am doing — serving America — and I take great pride in that.”