Mike Wolanin | The Republic Michael Schmelz play the song Taps during the annual Memorial Day service at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans in Columbus, Ind., Monday, May 29, 2023.
Three different services with distinct themes were conducted Monday in Columbus to commemorate Memorial Day.
Two were held in the downtown area, while the third took place within one of Bartholomew County’s largest cemeteries.
The first commemoration began at 9 a.m. on the north side walkway of the Robert N. Stewart Bridge. About 40 people, including officials of veterans’ groups, took part or attended the event.
During this service, rose petals were gently thrown into East Fork White River to commemorate those who had died while serving in the Navy.
In his address, retired Navy Commander E. Reeves Flint used a book of prayers that was distributed to Navy chaplains during World War II.
“Tend those who are sick,” Reeves said while quoting a passage from the nearly 80-year-old book. “Rest those who are weary. Soothe those who suffer. Pity those in infliction. Be near and bless those who are dying, and keep under thy holy care those who are dear to us.”
Most of the rose petals are dropped by women who are members of auxilary groups of local veteran organizations.
Post Commander Gary Beatty of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1987, which sponsored the service, was accompanied by his wife, daughter and granddaughter.
At 10 a.m., the second ceremony took place in the veterans’ section at Garland Brook Cemetery. This is the only ceremony in Columbus conducted next to the graves of fallen military personnel. With more than 3,000 veterans buried in the city’s largest cemetery, the Garland Brook service has taken place annually since 1972.
Since last year, the cemetery has placed a number of new American flag poles on the drive that goes past the veterans’ section. Smaller American flags were put up over a three-day period last week at the graves of many veterans.
In his opening prayer, Pastor Marcus Speer of the Jennings Church of Christ made special mention of the struggles that surviving family members endure after the wartime death of a loved one. Similar comments were made by AMVETS commander Rick Caldwell.
But as he spoke in admiration for those who have served in the military, Caldwell also took a moment to speak from the heart.
“I think America is not where we need it to be,” Caldwell said. “We have lost focus on what was founded by our veterans and our forefathers. A loss of focus can cause you to think too much about yourself, become angry with another person, find fault with others and doubt God.”
During the 11 a.m. Bartholomew County Community Memorial Day ceremonies, master of ceremonies John Foster expressed a similar sentiment, saying that many Americans have concerns about the country’s future.
“But thanks to (our military) being there when needed, we in the United States have the best opportunity to make a difference and do the right thing,” said Foster, an Air Force veteran and Patriot Award recipient. “And I truly believe we will.”
The 11 a.m. ceremony at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans attracted nearly 200 individuals.
The main focus of the downtown Columbus service is to remember those veterans who have recently died. Retired Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3) Mat Ratliff read the names of 126 Bartholomew County residents who have died over the past 12 months. While the names of World War II veterans has diminished greatly over the past decade, this year’s list contains a growing number of Vietnam War veterans, Ratliff said.
Up until a few years ago, the recitation was held during Veterans Day in November. For each name read aloud, a balloon was launched in the sky. But a local veterans committee decided the names would be more appropriate for a Memorial Day service. One ring of a bell can now be heard for each name after environmental concerns brought a stop to the balloon launch.
This year, the laying of three wreaths at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans was handled by the presidents of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Gold Star Mothers organization.
As has been the tradition for several years, the Bartholomew County Honor Guard provided a three-rifle volley while “Taps” was performed by Columbus City Band member Michael Schmelz.
The National Anthem was sung by vocalist Matt Millar, and the Rev. Larry Rowe of the Second Baptist Church gave the invocation and benediction.
