Commander Woody Mosher of the Cuba American Legion opened the May 25 Memorial Day Ceremony at Kinder Cemetery with a prayer.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the freedom and opportunity we have to live in a town like we live in, and live in a country like we live in and we hope that you would guide and direct all the military people that we have out in various parts of the Earth, and guide and direct them,” Mosher started. 

During his speech, Mosher said that since its founding, an estimated 559 million Americans and immigrants have lived in the U.S. and more than 1.1 million have died defending it.

“We are here for them,” Mosher said. “We are here for heroes such as West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was mortally wounded by a terrorist while she patrolled the streets of Washington, D.C. on Nov. 26.”

He also recognized Air Force Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who was seriously wounded in the same attack, and Air Force Sergeant William Pitsenbarger, who lost his life when he refused evacuation in favor of helping others get to safety.

“How could we all not be lifted by the breathtaking sacrifices that veterans have made and continue to make on our behalf,” Mosher said.

Mosher added that the families of fallen heroes should not be forgotten.

“The children of our fallen warriors will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early,” Mosher said.

Mosher believes that the only way to truly honor the fallen is to live life in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice.

The ceremony ended with the rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood.