Memorial Day remarks remember fallen in Carson City

stopped,” said Kelly Kite, a Vietnam era Navy veteran who was the first of several guest speakers. A former Douglas County commissioner and Nevada state legislator, Kite mentioned the fallen from Revolutionary times to today, as well as loved ones who stayed home and harbored fear for those in harm’s way during wartime.

“That’s why we’re here — to remember them,” he said. He noted there is no better way than to personalize it, so he named some he had known who died in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He also said he has two grandsons currently serving their country, adding he couldn’t be more proud of them. “With that,” he said, “before it starts snowing I will turn it back over.”

Joe Reissig, the next guest speaker, is a retired Master Sergeant who served in the Army. Now a JobConnect veterans’ employment representative, Reissig reiterated the theme of remembering the fallen and those loved ones left behind in the aftermath of war’s carnage.

Cody Stokes, a Marine until five years ago, told the assembled crowd before Memorial Day he reflected on his remarks and opportunities that included going to college after military service. “Five years ago, I left the Marine Corps, honorably, and went to college and enjoyed a lot of the freedoms I fought for,” Stokes said. He said his wife asked him what he would say, and he realized Memorial Day for him “is not a sad day.” He said in part that’s because those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who gave their time and came home did it for those they love.

“The price has already been paid to get us where we are,” he said, praising the freedom that must continue to be protected.

The ceremony, whose officiant was Lt. Commander Robert Bledsaw, U.S. Navy, began with a presentation of the colors, the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and an invocation. It was held in an open area of the cemetery grounds not far from dozens of American flags that served as an appropriate backdrop to the ritual and panoply that included a 21-gun salute and taps at the end.

The ceremony was one of several observances Monday to mark Memorial Day in the area and throughout the nation.

The Marine Corps League Silver State Detachment 630 of Carson City held a Monday ceremony to honor fallen Native American military veterans at the Stewart Indian Cemetery. The Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition hosted a ceremony at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. Virginia City‘s annual Celebration of Heros Parade was held in the Storey County community Saturday.