As fog covered Kachemak Bay, sunshine and a slight breeze blessed Memorial Day celebrations at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery up in the hills on Diamond Ridge. With the backdrop of Mt. Iliamna and Redoubt Volcano, a color guard composed of members of the American Legion Post 16 in Homer, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221 in Anchor Point, and the Marine Corps League stood at attention during a short service by American Legion Post 16 Chaplain Ralph Crane.

About 50 people attended, many of them veterans or their families. Kachemak Emergency Services firefighters stood by a KES ladder truck to show their respect, and also as a reminder that in the U.S. war on terror, among the first to fall were the first responders on Sept. 11.

“Let us honor the memory of the valor of servicemen and women who made that supreme sacrifice so that we may live in a country that is free,” Crane said. More than 1 million have made that sacrifice from the American Revolution to the War on Terror, he noted.

“We are also reminded on this day that brave men and women have always stepped forward to take the oath of allegiance as members of American armed forces, willing to fight and, if necessary, die,” Crane said. “… Memorial Day is not about picnics or parades — although there’s nothing wrong with enjoying and celebrating our American way of life. Memorial Day is about gratitude, is about honoring the men and woman who made it possible for us to gather here today in peace.”

Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com.

Participants salute and stand at attention the playing of “Taps” at Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

An honor guard consisting of members of the Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 16, Homer, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221, Anchor Point, hoist flags at Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

U.S. flags decorate graves of military veterans at Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

A U.S. flag and a poppy decorate the grave of Homer author and World War II veteran Jim Rearden at Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)