People remember

GRANT COUNTY — Memorial Day services were held in cemeteries across Grant County Monday.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and AMVETS performed ceremonies in Moses Lake, Ephrata, Soap Lake and Quincy in honor of the holiday.

People gathered at the Ephrata Cemetery to listen to retired Air Force Col. Herb Petrak speak. Petrak also presented for the Soap Lake ceremony.

“On this day, forever consecrated to our heroic dead, we are assembled once again to express sincere reverence,” he said. “This setting represents a resting place of many departed comrades that served in all wars.”

Petrak told the crowd, they were gathered to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

“We come here to honor our fallen comrades by our presence. We understand that on Memorial Day, we reflect on the ideals and values that our soldiers stood for and died defending,” he said. “I submit to you that every day is Memorial Day.”

He said people should honor, respect and remember the people who died serving in the military for preserving their rights.

“I will quote from an old saying now, ‘It is the solider not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the solider not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech and it is the solider not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate,’” he said.

People stood between the graves, and lined the road of the Quincy Cemetery to listen to members of the Quincy American Legion speak.

“Again our nation has assembled to honor its heroic dead,” said Randy Holloway, a member of the Quincy American Legion. “Now with one accord and deepest reverence, we do them honor. Let us not remember them in anguish. They would not wish our pity. For their sakes also, let us not forget the loved ones they left behind.”

Jeff Salcedo, the speaker for the Quincy event, said he started thinking about what Memorial Day means to him when he was asked by a friend.

“I simply stated it was to honor those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. Then I let my mind wander, as it often does, to include all of those fallen soldiers in all conflicts that fell during the performance of their duties to this country,” he said. “Those who defended until they were overwhelmed and marched until they expired.”

He spoke about the soldiers who fought in wars, saying they fought against various forms of tyranny.

“Soldiers, citizens, doctors, nurses, heroes. They all used their whole heart and soul, flesh and blood to the task at hand,” he said. “Time and time again, soldiers of this country have done what was necessary to preserve our way of life and our freedom at the cost of their own lives. Not men, not women, soldiers.”