Winesburg honors ‘those who gave all’ during Memorial Day service

Army veteran Fred Meister carried a wreath to the ceremonial grave site at Winesburg's Westlawn Cemetery during the Winesburg Memorial Day observance Monday, May 25.

His hands were steady, his face taut with sincerity and appreciation as he performed the placing of the wreath during the Salute to the Dead portion of the morning’s dedication for those who served and gave their lives in the name of freedom.

For Meister, it was an honor and a duty he took very seriously and one that brought the large crowd in attendance to a silent standstill. Meister remained frozen in front of the placed wreath during the 21-gun salute that took place behind him, the moment capping off a time of honoring U.S. veterans everywhere.

“This is a stirring moment for the people and for the person who is doing the placing,” Meister said. “It’s a very important part of the ceremony on a day that we all get to honor those who have given their lives for this nation.”

The Winesburg ceremony kicked off with a parade from the water tower to the cemetery.

State Rep. Beth Lear served as the keynote speaker at the memorial service, where she presented a message of bringing a nation of many back to a nation of one.

“Having had a chance to serve this country, having met my husband there and having our son follow in our footsteps, honoring this day means a lot to me,” Lear said. “We get to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service.”

Lear is a veteran of the Ohio Air National Guard. She is married to Jeff, a veteran from the same unit, Ohio’s 121st Air Refueling Wing. She also is the daughter of a Korean War veteran, granddaughter of a World War I veteran who received the Purple Heart and mother of a U.S. Navy sailor.

Lear used the phrase “ex uno plures,” which in Latin means “out of one, many,” to set the scenario for her speech.

“That’s not our motto, but that is what has been happening across America,” Lear said. “It’s our responsibility to honor those who went before us and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Lear served with Ohio’s 121st Air Refueling Wing and understands the pain of loss because three members of that wing lost their lives in Operation Epic Fury this year.

She said these men and the nearly 1.4 million U.S. service men and women whose lives have been taken in the name of freedom are why people gather nationwide to honor Memorial Day.

She said every service member needs continuing prayers for safety as they serve.

She said their service, especially those who gave their lives, deserves this nation remaining steadfast to the true reason this nation was born 250 years ago.

“We don’t want to be out of one, many,” Lear said. “We want to be e pluribus unum: out of many, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Following Lear’s speech, the Hiland High School marching band played selections of patriotic service songs, followed by Matt Schneider reading the roll call of area service members who passed away.

As he did, youngsters placed flowers at the grave sites of each individual resting in the cemetery.

Other acts performed during the event included Quincy Schneider, who read "The Gettysburg Address," and Gus and Phin Johnson, who provided patriotic music.

Master of Ceremony Matt Johnson wrapped up the morning by offering words of gratitude and praise for those who served.

“We thank all of you who came out this morning to mark this occasion and for honoring this wonderful tradition in our community to honor our nation,” Johnson said. “We continue to survive through the gracious sovereign God and the men and women who are willing to give their lives in the name of freedom for our nation.”

Caleb Moan closed with a benediction, thanking God for the men and women who selflessly gave their lives in service to the country, willingly bearing sacrifice to protect others.