(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Every year on the last Monday in May, flags fly at half-staff, and we gather to refresh our perspective and remember those who have served our country. From Colorado Springs to Pueblo and our nation’s capital, people across America marked Memorial Day.
For some, Memorial Day may mean a yearly barbeque, picnic or another day off. But what does it mean to those who have fought for our country? The ones who stormed the beaches in Normandy or climbed the mountains in Afghanistan? One veteran said it’s to remember those who fought and are not here today.
“We’re here to memorialize every single man, woman, and child that has been lost due to conflict,” said Travis Baker, the District Five Commander at the VFW in El Paso County.
Thomas Medina from Pueblo remembered his time in the Marines on Memorial Day as he spoke to folks who gathered under the Veterans Bridge at the Pueblo Riverwalk. He remembered his father who also served in the Marines and went to Vietnam.
“My dad was very proud of his service, but he was also, it wounded him very deeply,” Medina said.
But Medina also reflected on his own time serving, and the men and women he stood by during his time in active duty.
“I also remember the Marines that were killed in action, that served with me,” Medina said.
Baker aims to not only make Memorial Day the one time where people reflect on those who lost their lives protecting our country.
“I’ve lost people on Christmas Day, I’ve lost people on Thanksgiving Day in Iraq and Afghanistan… It’s not a holiday for me, every day is Remembrance Day,” Baker said.
Ceremonies were held across Southern Colorado–in Teller County, veterans from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted a ceremony at Woodland Park Cemetery to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country.
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