Remembering our fallen warriors

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889’s incoming commander, Robert Martin, spoke to a large crowd at the McEuen Park Veterans Pavilion on Memorial Day morning. With the pavilion flags at half staff, decorated Vietnam veteran and retired Army Sgt. Martin opened with a poem — “Just a Common Soldier,” also known as “A Soldier Died Today,” by A. Lawrence Vaincourt.

“He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.”

Reverent and quiet, attendees listened to Martin as he spoke of his service in Vietnam, which included four combat tours and fighting in the Ia Drang Valley campaign and the Battle of Hamburger Hill/Devin Heilman, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

Question: Did you attend a Memorial Day service Monday?