By Jolene Farley
A Memorial Day service in Hills Monday honored veterans who defended their country. Hills American Legion Post 399 sponsored the program.
The program began on a patriotic note with the Hills-Beaver Creek High School band playing traditional songs and the Color Guard presenting the colors.
Jessica Martens, Angie Sjaarda and Heather Albers sang the "Star Spangled Banner." Pastor Daniel Ramaker gave the invocation followed by Angie Martinez, winner of the 2002 Sertoma Club Heritage essay contest, who read her essay.
Retired Col. James B. Fleming, a 1946 Hills High School graduate, spoke on events he experienced about Memorial Day and items related to it.
"Over time, the community of Hills provided hundreds of men and women to serve the country during times of war and crisis," Fleming said in his address.
"It has been fortunate in the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, only Bob Schlotfeldt died in combat during the Korean War. Others were wounded and prisoners of war but no other combat deaths."
He spoke on his own personal Memorial Day memories.
"I must say the most emotional (for him) Memorial Day occurred in Washington, D.C. in 1984. That was the Memorial Day President Reagan officially dedicated the Vietnam Memorial Wall," he said.
"The most riveting part of the parade was the last unit in the parade. It really wasn't a unit but rather four or five hundred Vietnam veterans wearing their jungle uniforms with their medals. Most were marching without assistance, a few had canes, some in wheelchairs and a few with crutches. However, they all made the four-mile parade!
"I will tell you there wasn't a dry eye anywhere in the huge crowd that had gathered to see the parade and the Vietnam vets received a standing ovation throughout the length of the parade."
Fleming ended his address by thanking the audience for inviting him to speak.
"This day will rank right behind Memorial Day 1984," he said. "I salute you!"
After Pastor Ramaker gave the benediction, Legion members solemnly gathered outside the Legion hall to march the two blocks to Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.
At the cemetery, Pastor Ramaker led the gathering in prayer. Commander Robert Sandbulte honored deceased members of the American Legion and Auxiliary members by reading their names. A wreath was laid near the veterans memorial in their memory.
The veterans memorial reads, "This memorial is dedicated in grateful tribute to veterans of all wars who served in defense of our country."
Legion members fired their guns in salute. To end the service, "Taps" was played by Shannon Tilstra. People slowly dispersed contemplating the sacrifices made for their country.