Metro-east Memorial Day ceremonies pay tribute to those who died serving their country
Jim Page, an American Legion leader, acknowledged that there were going to be some barbecues enjoyed across the country on Monday.
But in his keynote address during the Belleville Memorial Day ceremony at Walnut Hill Cemetery, he solemnly spoke about the purpose of the federal holiday that honors the fallen members of the military.
“The reasons behind choosing military service differ from person to person but as varied are the reasons, there’s a universal understanding,” Page said.
“Service means sacrifice, even if that sacrifice is their own life,” he said. “There’s no greater service and sacrifice than to offer one’s life for the greater good.”
Page serves as commander of American Legion Post 2007 in Swansea and as commander of the 22nd District of the American Legion, which includes 44 area posts.
A Memorial Day parade on the streets of Belleville preceded the ceremony at Walnut Hill Cemetery at 1101 Mascoutah Ave.
In his speech, Page paid tribute to persons who died while serving the United States in the 1700s in Massachusetts all the way to 2021 in Afghanistan.
“They died so that we continue to cherish the things they loved: God, country, family.”
Page noted the American Revolutionary War combatants “Fought for freedom right where they lived” as they defended Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill.
As Page read the names of the 13 military service members who died in a bombing at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport in August, Gary Thomas rang a bell. Thomas serves as the commander of American Legion Post 1937 in Belleville.
Memorial Day services also were scheduled elsewhere in the metro-east, including O’Fallon at the City of O’Fallon Cemetery and at the Veterans Monument; the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo; the Prairie Du Pont American Legion Post 485 in Dupo; and the Collinsville VFW Post 5691.
This story was originally published May 30, 2022 at 1:47 PM.
