Vets remembered at Oakside Cemetery

ZEPHYRHILLS -- They met in the graveyard as dawn broke. They wandered among the weathered headstones and stuck small American flags -- 750 of them -- into the earth.

They come each year, these veterans and their wives and a handful of volunteers, to remember those who fought and died for freedom.

"Where some only see headstones and flags, we see lives filled with dignity and honor. We see heroism," said Navy veteran Michael Rickey, guest speaker at the annual Memorial Day service at Oakside Cemetery.

"Is it too much to ask that they be remembered on one day each year? No, it is not too much. It is an honor to fulfill that duty."

About 20 veterans in uniform -- some of them in wheelchairs, most of them with gray hair -- attended the program. Another 25 residents came to sit under a tent in the hot morning sun.

"If nobody comes to remember, these things get forgotten," said Craig Palmer, whose late father served in World War II. Palmer said the best part of Monday's service was during the chaplain's prayer, when a stiff breeze cut through the morning heat.

"It's like a certain spirit came over the place."

Adding to that spirit were three solos sung by Kristi Beinhauer: The Star-Spangled Banner, Danny Boy and God Bless America. Tears filled the eyes of several spectators as she sang.

Representatives from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Gold Star Mothers presented wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers.

After the songs and speeches, after the prayers and presentation of colors, the small crowd shared a moment of silence under an American flag, which fluttered at half staff.

Then the deafening crack of a 21-gun salute rang out over the cemetery, followed by a lone bugle playing taps:

Day is done,

gone the sun,

from the lakes

from the hills

from the sky,

all is well,

safely, rest,

God is nigh.

Then the crowd dispersed and headed for their cars. It wasn't even 11 a.m. The day had just begun.

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