In the shadow of the 50th anniversary of the United States' major involvement in the Vietnam War, the City of Aberdeen honored veterans and those who made the supreme sacrifice for freedom during the annual Memorial Day commemoration Monday morning.
"Never allow those five magic words, 'Thank you for your service,' to become cliched," Army Major Gen. Bruce Crawford, commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground's Communications-Electronic Command, told those gathered in Aberdeen's Veterans Memorial Park.
When someone takes the time to walk up to someone in the armed forces and thanks them for their service, "it reminds them of why it is they chose to take the oath," Crawford said.
Many who attended said they felt it important to recognize veterans and those killed in the line of duty.
Aberdeen's Ruth Frank said she enjoyed the event even though she had no personal connection to the armed forces.
"I try to make it every year to this service because I think it's important to remember all those who gave their lives defending this country, and it's just a nice community occasion," Frank said before the ceremony started.
Fred Morlok, of Aberdeen, said it is particularly important to recognize those who died in service to their country.
"My father served in World War II, I served during Vietnam, and some of our friends, some of our relatives didn't make it back," Morlok explained. "We want to honor them."
Aberdeen Middle School's Band and Chorus performed during the ceremony, and the crowd joined Beth Quinn, of Aberdeen VFW Post 10028, in singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."
Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett said one cannot "help but be awed by what they encounter" at the ceremony, which drew about 40 people on a sunny day with temperatures rapidly rising from the 70s to the 80s.
"We stand in the midst of patriots and family and friends of those who have nobly served," Bennett said.
"The service members we honor today came from all walks of life but they share several fundamental qualities. They possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity – all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself," he said, noting many did not even volunteer.
"They didn't go to war because they loved fighting. they were called to be part of something bigger than themselves. They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times."
Since the Revolutionary War, Bennett said, "American men and women have been answering the call of duty" and they continue to step up "to defend our freedoms and way of life."
Crawford said attending Memorial Day events is part of being American, thanking everyone who came "not because they have to but because they want to."
"That is also what separates us from other nations around the world," Crawford said.
"Why are we here today?" he asked the crowd at the start of his speech. "We are here today because that is who we are."
"Today we reflect on those who never left the battlefields," he said about those who died in battle. He also asked to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War "as we celebrate and recognize the 50th anniversary" of that conflict.
Crawford asked everyone to always keep in thought and prayer "those who stand watch" to defend the country.
"Today is about remembering the fallen, today is about remembering the families of the fallen, but today is also about taking the opportunity to reflect on who we are as a nation," he said.
Representatives from the VFW Post 10028, American Legion Post 128, their auxiliaries and the Korean War Veterans Chapter 271 laid wreaths at Aberdeen's War Memorial in honor of their departed comrades, veterans of homeland defense, the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Cold War and wreaths for the past, present and future.