When June Scopack attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City Monday, she wore an American flag T-shirt with a red, white and blue ribbon and a dog tag with a photograph of her grandson, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia.
Though dark sunglasses hid her eyes, it was clear from her voice that Memorial Day means more to her than ever before.
It was two years ago that the 20-year-old Melia, a native of Thousand Oaks, Calif., was killed in Iraq, shot in the back by a sniper.
The grieving grandmother joined dozens of others at the city's Memorial Day observation. The officiant was Naval Lt. J.G. Robert Bledsaw and speakers included representatives of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Women's Army Veterans, the Scottish American Military Society and a Virginia City father whose son, Army Staff Sgt. Brian Bolander, was killed in Iraq on April 29, 2008.
"I have this dream that the war will soon be over," said Greg Bolander. "That the ones that have given their all will receive their just rewards. That their families will know that their sacrifices will not be in vain, and that we honor their valiant efforts."
Bolander and his family sat with Mike McElfish, whose nephew, Army Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Rodgers, was killed in Afghanistan on Memorial Day 2007, and Ed Schober, whose son, Army Sgt. Anthony Schober, died May 12, 2007, in Iraq.
"As we mourn the fallen soldier, please remember not only the sacrifices that were made, but hold on to the person that made you proud, laugh and cry. Make sure that they will never be forgotten," said Bolander. "Tell the stories of their lives to family and friends, for this gives them immortality.
"Cry when you must, laugh when you can, and most of all love them as if they were still here."
As Mike Jarrett of Carson City watched beside his parents' graves, Air Force Master Sgt. Rick James played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipe, then "Taps" on the bugle.
"I want to congratulate you for being great Americans and great Nevadans," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dave Treinen. "Men and women have died for this country so we have the right to get up here and talk."