Three memorial ceremonies were conducted on Monday, coordinated by the Anchor Point VFW Post 10221, Homer American Legion Post 16 and Ninilchik American Legion Post 18. The first service was held at the Hickerson Memorial Cemetery at 10 a.m., followed by the Anchor Point Kallman Cemetery at noon and the American Legion Cemetery in Ninilchik at 2 p.m.
Each service opened with a prayer and included speeches by commanders of the VFW and respective American Legion posts, as well as a color guard and honor guard.
At Hickerson Memorial Cemetery, Post 16 Commander Craig Teigen provided a brief background on the origins of Memorial Day as we know it.
“From all losses at the end of the Civil War, the Union and Confederate soldiers needed a way to pay tribute to all their fallen soldiers, for the country was deep in mourning,” he said. “On the first Decoration Day in 1868, as it was called, General James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.”
By the end of the 19th century, Teigen said, the holiday came to be called Memorial Day, originally honoring those who lost their lives in the Civil War. After World War I, it grew to honor military personnel who died in all American wars.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be here today with you in this sacred place where generations of heroes have come to rest, and generations of Americans have come to show their gratitude for those who gave their lives to a greater course and better future for our nation,” he said.
At the Kallman Cemetery, VFW Post 10221 Commander Charles Collins thanked the community members in attendance for standing with VFW and Legion members “in recognition and honor of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation.”
Collins also recognized veterans present at the service, as well as those who are currently serving as military personnel and “all those that have lost somebody in defending this great nation.”
“We are humbled by your sacrifices,” he said. “We commend the demonstrations of courage and strength that you have no doubt shown throughout the most difficult times.”
Collins said that 1.1 million men and women have died during wartime throughout the span of American history.
“These numbers should truly humble us as they represent people who were brothers, husbands, mothers, sisters and friends. These were people woven into the fabric of our communities across our nation. They were loved, they are mourned, and they are missed,” he said.
Similar thoughts were echoed by Gary Jackinsky, commander of the Ninilchik American Legion Post 18.
“As Americans, our duty is to make sure their stories are not lost,” he said.
Each service concluded with a three-volley rifle salute by the honor guard and the playing of taps.
Paula Gallagher (right rear), American Legion Post 16 Auxiliary Chaplain, stands with Post Commander Craig Teigen (right front) as she recites a prayer at the start of the Memorial Day service held at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
VFW Post 10221 member Eric Henley performs the battlefield cross during the Memorial Day service held at the Anchor Point Kallman Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The honor guard (left) fires a three-volley salute during the Memorial Day service held at the Anchor Point Kallman Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
VFW Post 10221 member Eric Henley (center) performs the battlefield cross during a Memorial Day service held at the American Legion Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Community members gather at the American Legion Cemetery in Ninilchik, Alaska for a Memorial Day service conducted by the VFW Post 10221 and American Legion Posts 16 and 18 on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
