The Plainview American Legion Post #148 and its Auxiliary hosted the 2023 Memorial Day ceremony in the Pirate Auditorium of Plainview Public Schools on Monday morning.
This year’s keynote speaker was Roger Folkers of Osmond, a retired United States Army Korean War veteran.
Folkers spoke of the sacrifices men and women in all branches of the military are required to make, including possibly giving up their own lives. Folkers said that the history of service men and women have always called for this – from casualties at Bunker Hill in U.S. History to the most recent conflicts and wars in Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East and elsewhere.
Folkers closed by informing the crowd of two of the most recent casualties of the United States from the ‘A Company’ of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment – Sgt. Leandro Jasso, killed in action on November 24, 2018; and Sgt. Cameron Meddock, killed in action on January 17, 2019.
Sgt. Meddock was killed during his second deployment in support of Operation Resolute Support, and served most recently as a fire team leader to his Ranger unit.
Sgt. Lasso was injured on November 24 in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was treated, but died of his wounds.
Folkers said that he wanted those gathered to especially remember the sacrifice of these two soldiers, because they serve in the same Regiment as his son, who is still active.
“These service men and women answered the call of their country, in the name of freedom,” said Folkers. “The cost of human lives in battles fought gave us this day, and all days going forward – not in vain.”
Boys’ State Representative, Reagan Choat, was next with his address, thanking veterans for their service and his opportunity to attend the Stater program.
Chad Kment and daughter, Rebecca Kment, led the audience in the Star Spangled Banner, and also sang “More than a Name on a Wall” from the Statler Brothers. Marlena Curtiss provided the prelude music, and Bastion Curtiss played during the moment of silence and the reading of the roll call.
Roll Call was read by Legionnaire Gene Thomsen, Pastor Janelle Siffring gave the invocation and benediction, the laying of the wreaths was done by Sydney and Sophia Buzzell this year, and a special medley was played and sang by Kristi (Thomsen) Anderson.
Janyce Warneke gave the welcome from the American Legion Auxiliary Post, and Adjutant Corrine Janovec gave the welcome from the American Legion Post, and reviewed the national history and work of the Auxiliary. Janovec also thanked those that helped put out the American flags at six local cemeteries (Danish, Prairie View, Memorial, Lutheran, Eden Valley and Pleasant View.)
Chad Kment and Becca Kment led the “Star Spangled Banner.”