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Sunset Memorial Day ceremony honors those who served

A cannon was fired by members of Carlin’s Battery D during the Memorial Day weekend at the Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Memory Gardens Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

PARKERSBURG — Mid-Ohio Valley veterans were honored during the Memorial Day weekend at the Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Memory Gardens Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday.

Sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces were recalled and honored in the 60th annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the cemetery on West Virginia 95 in south Parkersburg.

Dennis Morgan, associate pastor of The Rock in Parkersburg, was the main speaker at the service. Morgan said the day is set aside to honor those who died in active duty or later in life.

“Their commitment to putting their lives in freedom of that before others will not be soon forgotten,” he said. “To many people Memorial Day is merely the beginning of summer and to others it is a solemn day to remember those who passed away in this life.”

However Morgan said in a gathering like the one at Sunset there is a deeper significance.

The color guard of the U.S. Marine Corps League presented the colors at the ceremony. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

“To you here today, the day carries a significance so deep that words cannot express your hearts,” he said. “When we look in the eyes of those who still mourn those vibrant men and women we often sense their loneliness and pain.”

Morgan said there are so many memories embraced and cherished today that can never be lived again.

“White gloves, dress uniforms, rigid postures and perfect salutes represented the reverence and respect we have for the greatest men and women who chose to serve this great country,” he said. “Those who have experienced war, they understand and appreciate this day of remembrance more than anyone can imagine.”

In closing Morgan quoted a speech given in 1884 by then U.S. Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

“Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death — of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen , the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope, and will,” he said.

Dennis Morgan, associate pastor of The Rock in Parkersburg, was the speaker at the service. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

Morgan said he believes Holmes’ proposition to think of life is a good choice.

“Their sacrifice follows the example of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for our freedom,” he said. “It is selfless love for others, not so others can mourn forever, but live and live free.”

Dwight Ullman, general manager of Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens said the military veterans of the area are instrumental in keeping the service going for 60 years.

“The military supports us 100 percent,” he said. “We have them at the cemetery multiple times through the week,” he said. “We do have many military who are buried here.”

Ullman said the 200 flags lining the roadway through Sunset during this weekend have been provided by families of veterans who received them at the time of their family member’s passing.

Dwight Ullman, general manager of Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, opened the ceremony Saturday. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

“They brought the flags back to be flown here this weekend,” he said. “It’s doesn’t matter if they served during a war or peacetime, but because they served.”

There are about 800 veterans buried at the cemetery.

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LOCAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES

TODAY

* City Park, Veterans Museum holding a Thank You picnic at the park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

* Ravenswood Memorial Day services at 1 p.m. at the Old Ferry Landing and 2 p.m. at Ravenswood Cemetery.

MONDAY

* City Park, Memorial Day Service, 10 a.m.

* Leavitt Funeral Home of Belpre, Memorial Day Service, 11 a.m.

* Marietta, 8 a.m. Harmar parade and service and 10 a.m. downtown parade and service at Oak Grove Cemetery

* Williamstown parade and service, 9 a.m.

* Beverly-Wateford parade and service, 9 a.m.

* Lowell parade and service, 10:30 a.m.

* Ripley, Jackson County Veterans Memorial Day Service, 11 a.m.

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