27-05-2025
Longmont community remembers U.S. military veterans on Memorial Day
With the American flag flying at half-staff, Longmont community members paid their respects Monday to soldiers who gave their lives in service of the United States.
Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. Members of the American Legion Post 32 and the Longs Peak Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601 hung wreaths for soldiers at Stephen Day Park, Foothills Gardens of Memory and Mountain View Cemetery.
'Let us each in our own way remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice, for that is the true purpose of Memorial Day,' Post 2601 commander Nicholas Miner said.
Wreaths are displayed at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont on Monday. Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer)
For those attending the ceremonies, the day brought an opportunity to reflect on their personal relationships with members of the military. Mike Pierce, a bugler with the American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard, played 'Taps' on Monday. Pierce said his father was a member of an honor guard as well, and it inspired him to follow in his footsteps.
'I decided that, when I was retired, I would do that,' said Pierce, who has been a bugler for Post 32 for six years.
Gary Schmidt, captain of the Post 32 Honor Guard, estimated between 150 and 200 people at the concluding ceremony, which took place at Longmont's Mountain View Cemetery. He said some attendees go to all three ceremonies every year, on top of the flag-raising event at Post 32 held later on Memorial Day.
'That's commitment,' Schmidt said. 'It's impressive to see.'
Wreaths were hung by representatives of local organizations, including the Longmont Elks and Moose lodges, and the Post 32 and Post 2601 auxiliaries. Eight wreaths were displayed in tribute to all U.S. military veterans who died.
'Theirs was a just cause,' Post 32 commander Ralph Bozella said as he hung his wreath.
At Mountain View Cemetery, guest speaker Patrick Gleason shared stories of his friends — fellow soldiers who were killed in the line of duty. Gleason is a retired master sergeant with 22 years of service, including a combat tour, according to a biographical page.
Longs Peak Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601 chaplain Leon Bartholomay salutes in front of wreaths at Foothills Gardens of Memory north of Longmont on Monday. Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer)
Gleason, who lives in Longmont, thanked veterans for their service. Memorial Day, he said, is about the soldiers who never came home.
'They are the ones we honor today,' Gleason said.
Post 2601 chaplain Leon Bartholomay closed the final ceremony with a prayer.
'May we be inspired to live lives of courage, compassion and service to others,' Bartholomay said.
