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Celebrating ‘those no longer with us’
Not all patriotic holidays are the same.
Speaking during Memorial Day ceremonies at Forest Hill Cemetery Monday morning, retired Indiana Army National Guard Col. Steve Hibler noted how he and other veterans spend Memorial Day weekend receiving thank yous from their fellow citizens.
And while the gratitude is appreciated, Hibler noted a distinct difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, which is on Nov 11.
“This is Memorial Day. This is to celebrate those who are no longer with us,” Hibler said.
Noting that Memorial Day is sometimes called “the most expensive holiday,” Hibler said 1,304,704 service men and women have lost their lives in active duty since “the shot heard round the world” during the battles of Lexington and Concord that opened the Revolutionary War in 1775.
Hibler took a moment to remember one of these, Sgt. Major Jeffrey McLochlin, whom Hibler met when they were both serving in Bosnia.
The son of the Fulton County sheriff, McLochlin grew up in Rochester before studying and playing football at Wabash College.
He later became a police officer in Plymouth but also joined the Indiana National Guard.
On July 5, 2006, McLochlin was shot and killed while training Afghan police near the Pakistan border.
Hibler said he often sees McLochlin’s face at this time of year, noting that McLochlin’s wife and family have a painful reminder while their fellow Americans celebrate this holiday.
Hibler closed by noting that everyone can do three things in remembrance of the fallen:
1. Honor the flag.
2. Freedom: “maintain what our fallen brothers and sisters have done for us.”
3. Be an active citizen in your community.
“This is a great turnout today,” Hibler said. “Let’s get more here next year.”
The brief ceremony concluded with an invocation by Marylin Culler and a 21-gun salute by the Greencastle American Legion/VFW Honor Guard.