Millersburg marks Memorial Day with ceremonies and Sigler’s lesson

The Millersburg Memorial Day ceremony took place Monday, May 25 at a pair of sites, the first at the grave site of Peter Myers and the second at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The color guard and firing squad of Post 192 honored a local hero at Clay Street Park, presenting a special ceremony at the grave site of Myers, a hero of three wars who passed away in 1843. That ceremony included a prayer from Post 192 Chaplain Dave Crider, along with a 21-gun salute.

“We’ve been doing this for years,” Crider said of honoring Myers. “He’s a veteran of three wars, and that is something special to fight and survive through that. He came home and lived a fruitful life, one done in service to his country.”

The squads then proceeded to the veterans memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery, where a large crowd gathered to honor the nation’s fallen heroes.

The parade leading to the site included the color guard, West Holmes High School marching band, the firing squad, people in uniform, veterans of all wars, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

The West Holmes High School marching band opened by playing the national anthem, followed by Post 192 Cmdr. Craig Lawhead, who served as master of ceremonies.

He introduced guest speaker Bob Sigler, a Killbuck native and U.S. Army veteran who served in the Ohio National Guard from 1988-94 before being activated to the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to the 1486 Transportation Company, with his company being activated to serve in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq during his tenure.

Sigler said over time he has learned the value of the Holmes County Veterans Administration, having not gotten involved for three decades before recognizing the value of the services that take place there.

“It has been amazing since day one,” Sigler said of the HCVA. “I’m not exaggerating when I tell you it has been life-changing.”

He encouraged all veterans to connect with the local VA and establish a relationship because of the value provided within.

“I try to stop in for five minutes; you can’t do it,” Sigler said. “They are determined to keep you there until they help you with something.”

For his address he focused on the purpose of Memorial Day and how it has evolved.

“This day is always a day of reverence, paying honor and respect, and mourning loss, but as a combat veteran, Memorial Day also leaves me frustrated," Sigler said. “As a soldier and as an American, I have questions that grow as I age because so many of the people I need to ask are gone. It isn’t so much that I want answers, but I seek insight and knowledge.

"I finally have the questions, but now the knowledge is buried with the generations before me. I can’t imagine the priceless wisdom taken to rest in peace by those whom we are surrounded by on this hallowed ground.”

He said he has become more curious about his grandfather, who served in World War II, noting he wonders what he and his grandfather have in common in terms of service in The Middle East.

Sadly, Sigler never met his grandfather Ross, who passed away tragically in an accident just prior to Sigler’s first birthday.

“Sure, I could discus Middle East with my contemporaries, but the opportunity to learn what that was like from my grandfather is gone,” Sigler said.

Sigler said his great-grandfather John Ross Sr. immigrated to America from Italy in 1881 and served during World War I. Sigler said he envisions his grandfather knew of the family’s roots in Italy. He wondered what his grandfather thought of the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.

Was there a chance his grandfather would have been reassigned to serve in that invasion? Did he know families from that area?

“The only thing I’m certain of is that I could have learned something from him, maybe many things,” Sigler said of his grandfather. “That frustrates me.”

He spoke of his other grandfather Robert Sigler, after whom he is named. He said his historical achievements lie in other realms, mainly hustling moonshine.

Sigler said while Robert lived until he was 17, Sigler was too young to think to ask his grandfather intimate details about his life. However, he also possessed medals and photos of his other grandfather in uniform as a soldier. What battles had he seen? Did he drive a tank?

“I regret that after hearing stories about what a nut he was being passed down,” Sigler said.

He did ask about his grandfather’s Purple Heart though.

“There’s too much I had to learn about Grandpa Sigler from someone else,” Sigler said. “It wasn’t until I had served in combat that I knew what to ask.”

What he did learn through others was his grandfather had a distinguished career filled with heroism, including the Bronze Star.

Sigler’s message was simple: Don’t wait to learn about these important moments in history until it’s too late.

“I never heard it straight from the horse’s mouth,” Sigler said. “I wish he would have told me about that.”

He finished by noting those who serve offer the ultimate sacrifice, today just as in the past, and advised people to honor those who served and are serving, learn from the past, and not find oneself loaded with questions.

Learn now before those who served are gone and it’s too late.

Following Sigler’s address, Lawhead placed a wreath honoring fallen heroes of all wars, and the firing squad honored them with a 21-gun salute, followed by the sounding of taps. Crider then closed the service with a prayer.