Retired Army Maj. Gen. Richard Colt delivered a powerful message Wednesday morning after heavy rain forced American Legion Post 347 to move its annual Memorial Day service away from Lady Lake Cemetery.
As a crowd of members and their guests gathered inside the Legion’s large meeting room, Colt cited speeches from past presidents and other leaders who have paid to tribute to fallen servicemembers over the years.
“We must remember those who have gone before us, the men and women we served with and their family members,” the 38-year military veteran said. “We can’t forget them. They died doing their duty.”
Colt, of the Village of Hemingway, said military duty can be a tough job to handle.
“Military people sign a contract that says, ‘For our country, we will offer everything, including our life if we need to give it up,’” he said. “Those are the people we remember today. It’s a hard day. It’s not a fun or happy day. It’s a memorial.”
Colt thanked Post 347’s leadership for holding its service on May 30 – the day the holiday, also known as Decoration Day, was observed from its origins in 1868 to 1971 when Congress created a three-day weekend by designating the last Monday in May as Memorial Day.
“I don’t think people on a three-day holiday care,” he said. “They don’t remember. It’s just part of the beginning of summer. They’re having fun and having barbecues.”
But in reality, Colt added, he can’t get mad at Americans for enjoying the long holiday weekend.
“I can be sad that Congress did that back in 1971, but part of what these men and women died for was the freedom for Americans to do what they wanted to do, whenever they wanted to do it,” he said.
Like many with military backgrounds, Colt finds Memorial Day difficult as he remembers those he served with who lost their lives while protecting their country. He started his Army career in 1967 and saw plenty of casualties while serving in Vietnam. And before he retired in 2005, two other tragedies hit home and are still fresh in his mind today.
“I lost six on 9/11 when I commanded the Army Reserve in New York State and New Jersey,” he said quietly. “Six kids, firemen, going into the building. And there were seven more in Afghanistan.”
Not surprisingly, he was thinking about those 13 servicemembers as he spoke to Post 347 members.
“I’ve got a picture of them that I look at every morning and say, ‘Good morning,’” he said.
As for the message he would deliver to young people enlisting in the military today about those who have gone before them and made the ultimate sacrifice, Colt said it’s quite simple.
“I would just say to remember them,” he said. “They died before their fullness of days. They did what their country asked of them and that’s what Americans are supposed to do.”
Wednesday’s service was particularly touching to 89-year-old Donald Baumeister, a Korean War veteran who lives in Water Oak. When asked what the day means to him, he quickly teared up and bowed his head.
Baumeister’s daughter, Pat Richter, said the day has been special to her father for many years.
“It’s very emotional,” she said. “But he looks forward to it every year and never misses it.”
Richter added that she’s very proud of her father for serving in the military and “just happy that he’s still with us.” And she said her message to him and others who served is one of thankfulness. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without them,” she said.
Ellen Tierney, who serves as first vice commander of Post 347, agreed.
“My dad was a World War II vet, so it has a lot of meaning,” said Tierney, who served in the Air Force and National Guard and retired as a lieutenant colonel and nurse. “It’s about remembering all those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Like Colt, Tierney said she believes that May 30 is the true Memorial Day.
“It’s not about the picnics and the barbecues,” she said. “It’s about those who gave it all.”