Memorial Day ceremony honors those who gave the ‘ultimate sacrifice’
Post 121 Commander Peter Trzop, left, and Post 167 Commander Greg "Spoony" Rogers place the wreath in honor of the veterans how have died.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Monday, May 30, 2011, 3:15 p.m. — A cloudless day and bright blue skies watched over the solemn Memorial Day proceedings at the Bardstown Cemetery gazebo Monday morning. The annual event is sponsored by the two American Legion posts in Bardstown, Post 121 and Post 167.
Kenny Fogle, Post 121 special events chairman, served as emcee of the ceremony. Following an invocation by Dylan Mays, pastor of Bardstown Baptist Church, Mayor Bill Sheckles welcomed the assembled group of veterans and families.
(Click here for more photos from the 2011 Memorial Day observance at the Bardstown Cemetery.)
Sheckles noted that the day commemorates all military soldiers who served their country honorably and gave the ultimate sacrifice. “Their ultimate sacrifice has made our country the great one it is today,” he said.
The crowd included elected official past and present, including Nelson County Judge-Executive Dean Watts; former Mayor Harry Spalding; former state Rep. Jodie Haydon; city councilmen Roland Williams and Bobby Simpson; and former Post 121 Commander Dixie Smith.
Major Gen. Mark McDonald
The ceremony’s main speaker was Major Gen. Mark McDonald, who is currently in charge of the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox.
McDonald extended a special welcome to Gold Star families who were present “on this most solemn of national holidays.”
Memorial day honors those who passed before us, he said. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice “fought not only to sustain our freedom, but the freedom of generations to come.”
“The graves at cemeteries across the country remind us that freedom is not free,” McDonald said.
We remember their sacrifices today because communities across the country have been touched by the wars through the years, noting Nelson County’s tremendous loss in June 1968 when members of Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion of the 
local National Guard unit were killed. “Ninety percent of that 70-man unit were from the Bardstown area,” he said.
In addition to remembering those who gave their lives, we are also called to remember those who are serving our country, he said.
“America’s survival depends on the men and women who are willing to step forward and defend our nation.”
While the Army is always undergoing change, one thing that will never change is the indomitable spirit of the American solider, McDonald said. “They represent our values; they never quit, they never accept defeat, and they never leave a fallen comrade.”
‘Let us never take for granted their extraordinary sacrifice,” he said.
McDonald closed his comments by quoting an inscription from the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery that reads:
Post 121 chaplain Jim Guest salutes while Taps is played to honor fallen veterans.
Not for fame or reward
Not for place or for rank
Not lured by ambition
Or goaded by necessity
But in simple
Obedience to duty
As they understood it
These men suffered all
Sacrificed all
Dared all – and died
Following McDonald’s comments, the chaplins from both American Legion posts – Jim Guest and Roland Williams – read the names of their members who have died since last Memorial Day.
Post 121 Commander Peter Trzop and Post 167 Commander Greg “Spoony” Rogers jointly laid a wreath commemorating those who have died, which was followed by the playing of “Taps.”
Russ Marlowe of Post 167 read the national American Legion speech about the observance of Memorial Day, and at the ceremony’s conclusion, handed out roses to the wives daughters of departed veterans.
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