BELLE FOURCHE—Music from Center of the Nation Brass welcomed those gathered at Memorial Hill in Pine Slope Cemetery for Memorial Day services on the morning of May 25.
The weather was sunny, calm, and perfect for the United States funeral honors flags to be raised along the Veterans Memorial Avenue of Flags. One hundred sixteen flags greeted everyone as they entered Pine Slope Cemetery.
Master of Ceremonies Wm. Blaine Anderson, VFW 3312, greeted the crowd. “Good morning, and welcome to the Belle Fourche Memorial Day program here at Pine Slope. I’m Blaine Anderson with VFW Post 3312 and I’ll be your host today,” he said. “Memorial Day is a somber holiday, a lot like Patriots Day. Our Fourth of July celebration and Veterans Day, and a whole lot of other things, are just a big party—but today we don’t have to be sorrowful, but it is a day of remembrance of those who are not with us here today.”
Rev. Rick Brennan gave the invocation followed by a welcome given by Mayor Randy Schmidt.
“Good morning, welcome to the city of Belle Fourche. This Memorial Day we want to express our gratitude to the sacrifice made by all of our great service members,” said Schmidt.
The National Anthem was played by the Center of the Nation Brass.
Several organizations participated in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. After the wreaths were laid, the Center of the Nation Brass played a tribute to all of the military service branches of the United States of America.
In preparation for this year’s Memorial Day service, the Belle Fourche VFW Post 3312 brought in a guest speaker from Arizona to give the Memorial Day address. Master Chief Petty Officer Steven M. Fields served more than three decades in the United States sea services, beginning his military career in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1989 before continuing with the U.S. Coast Guard from August 1990 until his retirement in July 2016.
The speaker took to the podium and addressed the crowd. “Good morning, it’s an honor to stand here with you today again, my name is Master Chief Steven Fields, and I’ve served this great nation for just over 30 years,” he said.
Fields went on to discuss the importance of Memorial Day. “I personally have seen the cost. That is why Memorial Day carries a very specific meaning for me. It is not just a date on the calendar or simply the unofficial start of summer; this date is set aside intentionally to remember those who are no longer with us, and more importantly, to remember why they are no longer with us,”shared Master Chief Fields. “Behind every name we honor today is a story, a life that was lived, a future that was planned, and a family that is forever changed.”
He shared personal experiences from his service and spoke about the sacrifices Memorial Day is meant to honor. “…the symbol of a folded flag presented to somebody who will carry that moment for the rest of their lives. That folded flag only weighs about 2.1 pounds, but to the mother, wife, husband, or child receiving it, it can weigh more than the world. Thirteen folds, 13 meanings, one unimaginable sacrifice,” he shared.“And for those families, Memorial Day is not a once-a-year observance; it’s something they live with every day, and that’s why remembrance matters. If we are not intentional about it, it would be easy for days like this to lose their meaning, easy to let them become background noise in a very busy world. This day was never meant to be about barbecues, sales events, or a day off work. It is a time meant to be a pause, a moment to reflect—not just on sacrifice, but on responsibility.”
Following the address, the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard gave the rifle squad salute and Craig Norwood played Taps on an authentic United States service-issued bugle.
Rev. Rick Brennan gave the benediction and the Center of the Nation Brass once again played while the crowd dispersed. “Thank you for being here—it’d be embarrassing if we were here and you weren’t. Now, Center of the Nation Brass will escort us to our vehicles,” said Anderson.
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