Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance and celebration, Monty Lovelace said Monday morning, May 31, at Legion Memorial Park, Auburn.

Lovelace spoke at the Memorial Day service conducted by members of American Legion Post No. 23. Memorial Day is a day to celebrate the freedoms Americans have, to celebrate those who served the United States in the armed forces and lived to tell about it, Lovelace said.
“Most importantly, we celebrate and honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in the name of freedom,” Lovelace said.
Sunny skies and temperatures about 70˚ greeted those who attended the observance.
“It’s a beautiful morning. What a nice morning for Memorial Day. We couldn’t have it any better,” said Dick Stich, commander, American Legion Post 23. He served as master of ceremonies for the service.

Pastor Eli Davidson, youth minister at Auburn Christian Church, said that Memorial Day puts in perspective what it costs to have the United States. He asked all to pray for those who have served in the U.S. armed forces, and the men and women currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Dale Thomas sang “America” and “America the Beautiful” while “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by Katy Billings.
“What a great way to start our Memorial Day service with those wonderful songs,” said Mayor Bob Engles.
Engles said that what happened 100 years ago and 200 years ago is just as important today as it was then.
The mayor read Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Engles said that what Lincoln said in 1863 is just as relevant today.
He said that seeing the American flags flying throughout Legion Memorial Park and what the Gettysburg Address meant to that time, “we think of the tremendous service that our veterans have given us. We’re still talking about the ideas Lincoln talked about and what they have meant for our great country.”
Stich said that those who attended the Memorial Day service honored the memory of those who gave their lives to serve the United States and renewed their pledge of loyalty to the United States and the Stars and Stripes.
Lovelace also talked about what patriotism meant to him. Sunday, June 6, is the 66th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II. He called that the largest amphibious attack on land and sea. D-Day was the starting and ending point for Adolf Hitler and the German empire, Lovelace said.
“We should do whatever we can to honor the veterans who have served and are still serving the United States. We can’t thank them enough for their sacrifices,” Lovelace said.
He said it is hoped to have the Nemaha County Veterans Memorial at Legion Memorial Park completed by Memorial Day 2011 to honor the veterans.

“It will enshrine the sacrifices made by those who died serving the United States and those who are still living,” Lovelace said.
He thanked the veterans whose service was long past and Americans still serving in the U.S. armed forces.
“Their service is not forgotten. It will never be forgotten. It will be appreciated forever in our minds and in our hearts,” Lovelace said.