Speaking next to the War Memorial Monument in Yorktown, retired Brig. Gen. John Smith rattled off the numbers of service members who fought and died in various wars. The figures can be daunting, he said, but it’s important to always remember the individuals behind the statistics.
During the annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday, Smith told stories of two soldiers — one on the beaches at D-Day 75 years ago and another in Afghanistan in recent years, each soldier risking his life to save others, possibly preventing their comrades from being among those honored on Memorial Day.
Across all those decades, Smith said, he sees common traits carry through — character, moral strength and a sense of duty.
Smith said it was fitting to speak about Memorial Day in such a historic place — his position next to Yorktown’s War Memorial Monument was fitting as well. The memorial is a small obelisk that bears the names of York County residents who died in American conflicts dating back to Bacon’s Rebellion. At the ceremony, members of the local chapters of the Disabled American Veterans and the Daughters of the American Revolution presented wreaths at the monument to honor all who died in military service.
Smith said Memorial Day was a time to remember that those who served and showed valor in the toughest situations — at “the tip of the spear” — have been average young people. “It’s never been the rich, the famous or the influential who have carried the load,” he said.
Following Smith’s remarks and the playing of taps, Jerry Knutson, an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, said he was glad to see most of the chairs occupied, along with dozens of people standing. But before the ceremony, he walked past Yorktown Beach and saw far more people enjoying the sun and the day off. Even with the good turnout, Knutson wished more people would have stopped at the monument.
Along with all veterans who died in service, Knutson keeps two close to heart. First is his uncle who died in World War II. Second is a friend of his from their 400-person hometown in South Dakota. That friend also served in Vietnam but did not survive.
Knutson still chokes up remembering that friend and said he’s paid visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to see his name.
Seeing many small children at the ceremony was heartening to Knutson, and he hoped their parents would reinforce the message that freedom is not given and that many people have sacrificed on behalf of others in the country.
