Although the words came from a children’s book, the theme of the Oconto Falls Memorial Day message was meant for all ages.
Quoting from “The Wall,” by Eve Bunting, Daniel Moore spoke of two ideas central to the holiday: sadness and gratitude; sadness over the deaths of service men and women, and gratitude for their sacrifice to further the values of freedom and equality.
The storybook tells about a boy, accompanied by his father, who looks for the name of his grandfather on the Vietnam War Memorial.
“Today is our day to say thank you to those who paid so dearly with their lives and to their family and friends whose lives are changed forever,” Moore said.
Moore, principal at Oconto Falls Elementary School, began his educational career as a world history teacher. He said it’s the job of families, schools and the community to help even the youngest children learn about Memorial Day and the history and values of this nation.
Students need to develop a solid sense of their heritage as Americans so they will graduate well-prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship as adults, he said.
Memorial Day is a time to share the sorrow of so many who have lost loved ones, said audience member Joan Gauthier, of Oconto Falls, who turned 101 on Saturday.
“I think the dead deserve it,” she said. “They deserve all the prayers and all the people who come.”
“It always bring tears to my eyes,” said her son, Leo Gauthier, who was in Oconto Falls to celebrate his mother’s birthday. He said the family attends the service at Woodlawn Cemetery every year.
“It’s the least we can do for those who gave everything,” he said.
The four sons in the Gauthier family all served in the military: Leo, who now lives in California; William, of Iowa; Victor, of Pulaski; and Robert, of Marinette. Their father, Victor Sr., served in World War I, and Robert’s son, William, of Lena, is also a veteran.
Leo said he and his brothers were lucky to safely return home, when so many others lost their lives. Joan Gauthier recalled the 10-year stretch when she had as least one son in the military.
“That was scary,” she said.
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