Photos by Jessica N. Rex President of Blue Star Mothers Skyla Govier spoke on the sacrifice of our fallen and the importance of teaching our children what the day truly means.

Americans were reminded to remember and help our children carry on the true meaning of the Memorial Day holiday.

The Blue Star Mothers held their first Memorial Day ceremony Thursday evening. President Skyla Govier reminded attendees how those that have served and sacrificed have “families who would forever carry both pride and pain in the same breath.”

The day is about remembering those who have paid the price that comes from freedom. She went on to say, “Every flag that waves, every child who plays freely, every family gathered here today, every prayer spoken without fear, every opportunity we have, all exist because brave men and women were willing to stand between danger and the country they loved.”

The day honors the sacrifice by words of sentiment, patriotic songs, poems and a reading of names. “May we not simply say “Happy Memorial Day,” without knowing the weight of the words to those who have lost a loved one because it’s not just a day about remembering the fallen heroes, but that the families live with that loss every single day,” Govier said.

The ceremony, at the General Joseph Warren Park, included a speech by state Rep. Kathy Rapp, also a Blue Star Mother. She began by pointing out the significance of General Joseph Warren, who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill, a battle that fought for freedom and the founding of our country. Standing amid the memorials and monuments at the park, saying that the day exists to recognize the sacrifices, Rapp blessed our country, our state and our community.

Music was provided by The Clouse Trio, with musician Larry Clouse on piano and his wife Krista and daughter Autumn on vocals.

Clouse, a Navy veteran, also spoke, reflecting on the spirit of military families. “Service isn’t just something we did, it is part of who we are,” he said.

The ability of military families to carry and endure incredible hardship with grace and humility, Clouse said that Veterans and their families provide gifts to the citizens in many ways through their perseverance. “Memorial Day reminds us that there are some memories that we carry differently, because this is not Veterans Day. Today is not about those who came home; today is about those who did not. It is in the freedom that they give us, that we gather in this park to speak openly, to worship freely as we would like, to raise our families in peace, to disagree without fear and to dream without permission.”

Clouse added the freedoms we often take for granted are preserved by someone who was willing to risk their life. Fallen soldiers serve to protect these freedoms for people that they would never meet and their loved ones they would never see again.

On a beautiful evening, with the sun’s glow above the river and a breeze in the air, an eagle flew overhead of the gathered patriots. While words were spoken and songs were sung, the train whistles echoed and fire trucks sirened, the time was spent embracing the beauty and grace of nature, the civic duty we have for our country and the progress that makes those freedoms in America, a greatly blessed nation in which we live.

Candles were placed around the three monuments in the General Joseph Warren park and will be kept lit throughout the extended holiday weekend.