27-05-2025
'We must not forget them': Annual Memorial Day program held at Bemidji's Greenwood Cemetery
May 26—BEMIDJI — In a pleasant turn of events from the rainshower that falls on Memorial Day nearly every year, the sun and warm early-summer temps greeted attendees as they gathered at Greenwood Cemetery on Monday morning.
Hosted by Ralph Gracie American Legion Post No. 14, the annual memorial ceremony pays tribute to those who have given their lives in service to their country.
Starting with the presentation of the colors by members of the Ralph Gracie Honor Guard and Junior ROTC, Post No. 14 Commander Steve Jewett then led attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
"I would like to thank you all for attending this Memorial Day service as we honor all veterans who gave their lives to serve and protect our country from those who may wish to destroy our way of life," Jewett said in opening. "It's their sacrifices that have preserved the freedoms we now have today."
The crowd, with hands over their hearts, then joined musical guest Don Papreck in singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before a POW flag was posted to honor the lives of prisoners of war and those unaccounted for in all wars and conflicts involving the United States.
"We are gathered here together to memorialize, to remember, to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country," Chaplain Ken Glidden said during his opening invocation. "May it never depart from our heart, deep within us, the sacrifice they've made, and help us to never take it for granted. Lord, freedom is never free. Help us to remember that."
Jewett then welcomed guest speaker Richard Cross, a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major who served in Vietnam during 1970-71 and many other U.S. conflicts.
"He has also been a member of the American Legion for over 42 years and has served the Legion as national, state and District 6 Commanders and in many other Legion posts," Jewett added.
Cross used his time at the microphone to recount the many kinds of heroes celebrated in American history.
"Society likes to use the word hero," Cross said. "There are sports heroes, action heroes, political heroes, but is there any group more deserving of the title than more than one million men and women who have sacrificed their lives in defense of this nation?"
Cross then shared the story of Jack Lummus, who was a professional football player for the New York Giants before he fought and died in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
"It was as a Marine that Jack would go from sports hero to genuine American hero," Cross said. "He has since been inducted into the New York Giants Ring of Honor, but that is just a small part of his story.
"On Feb. 19, 1945, Jack Lummus was among the first to land at Iwo Jima. A leader of a rifle platoon, First Lt. Lummus, slowly but relentlessly advanced with his men against entrenched enemy forces. He disregarded wounds inflicted upon him by grenade shrapnel and other small arms fire.
"He neutralized enemy soldiers positioned in three pillboxes before eventually stepping on a landmine. Jack attempted to stand even though his legs and lower torso were badly mangled. Rushed to surgeons who attempted to save his life, Lt. Lummus said, 'Well, Doc, the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today.'
"He died on March 8, 1945, and America lost a mighty good hero. For his actions at Iwo Jima 80 years ago, Jack was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Lt. Jack Lummus was one of the most famous heroes of one of history's most famous battles. But there are so many others that we can also remember. People who have died while fulfilling their military mission."
Cross then went on to tell the stories of U.S. Navy aviators Lt. Commander Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman, who both earned multiple combat medals for their actions in the Middle East against terrorists in 2023 and '24.
"On Oct. 15, 2024, the two trailblazing pilots lost their lives when an EA-18G Growler jet crashed during a training exercise in Washington near Mount Rainier," Cross said. "Even within the safety of the United States, the military is an inherently dangerous profession comprised of professionals willing to sacrifice for us."
Another hero's story recounted by Cross was Army medic Calvin Bouknight, who was killed in 1965 while shielding and protecting four of his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
"A native of Washington, D.C., Specialist Bouknight lived only 24 years, but his legacy is still remembered 60 years after his passing," Cross said.
He added that while the heroes mentioned had earned prestigious awards and military decorations, countless veterans have not been recognized for their bravery due to a lack of surviving witnesses who could document their final acts — but they are no less heroic.
"The heroes we honor today are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. They come from all economic classes and backgrounds. They hail from all 50 states. Some have migrated from other countries," Cross said in closing. "They are a diverse group wedded to the belief that America is a nation worth dying for.
"We are gathered so that we can remember their sacrifices and celebrate the fact that throughout our history, this great country has remained through such men and women of honor; we must not forget them."
Following Cross' address, Glidden read off a list of Ralph Gracie members who have died in the last year. Auxiliary member Kathy Ramos then read a list of those from Beltrami County who died in action during World War I.
The initial part of the program closed with Papreck leading attendees in singing "America the Beautiful," followed by the firing squad conducting a rifle salute and Bemidji High School trumpet players Brayden Dougherty and Mehgan Johnson playing "Taps."
Attendees then migrated to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial to honor those who died during the Civil War with another rifle salute, Jewett reciting the Gettysburg Address and the trumpet players performing an additional round of "Taps" to officially wrap up the ceremony.
"I would like to thank all the speakers and volunteers who helped make this Memorial Day program a success," Jewett said in conclusion. "Thank you all very much for your attendance. It's really good to see it turn out like this. It makes me proud to be an American."
