Above, L-R) Rev. Burr Shlling and Lary Core, Commander of the Bluffton American Legion Post 382

Slide Show HERE.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Memorial Day is a widely observed federal holiday that was first created to recognize soldiers who died in the American Civil War. For many, Memorial Day means backyard barbecues, appliance sales and patriotic sentiments on social media.

In Bluffton, Memorial Day traditions include a parade that starts at Town Hall and proceeds down Main Street and Grove to the Veterans Memorial Monument at Maple Grove Cemetery. It features members of American Legion Post 382, who lead the parade and ceremonies.

Bluffton’s 2024 ceremonies were a reminder of the very real, very personal and very particular loss felt by the families and friends of those who have served our nation in the military. The Legion placed 784 American flags on veterans’ graves in cemeteries throughout Richland Township, including 504 flags at Maple Grove.

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Featured speaker Rev. Burr Shilling told those gathered at the cemetery about losing his brother in the Vietnam War. “Remembering is an important part of our lives.” Shilling began. “We all suffer from things we don’t remember, especially as we grow older. My memory is filled with mental videos…” He spoke of some of his best memories and was interrupted by the sound of jets and cheers. Shilling continued, “But not all memories are so wonderful. I remember a place called Vietnam. I remember the phone call.”

Shilling was a college student when his brother Dean was killed while serving in the Marines in Vietnam (U.S. involvement 1965-1973). He explained that just a few years ago he asked his mother to see Dean’s medals. She said she didn’t think she had them, but later found the unopened box. She had put it in a closet the day she received it from the Marine Corps and had never opened it.

Together, Shilling and his mother opened the box to find Dean’s medals and a letter from the Navy commandant, which detailed an act of heroism while under grenade fire, which occurred 30 days before Dean was killed in Vietnam. “Dean was a hero in battle and grief prevented us from knowing it for nearly 50 years,” Shilling explained.

Shilling continued to discuss the importance of “memory places” including battlegrounds and war memorials which help us to “keep balanced in the ups and downs of our democracy.” He continued, “Today’s Memorial Day is a perfect time to reflect on our own memory places. Memories about things we value, the parts of our lives that really have meaning.”

Following Shilling’s presentation, the Legion read out the names of 18 veterans from local families who had died in the last year and who had served in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. A bell was rung for each individual who had passed away. A Legion rifle corps fired a 21-gun salute to these service members.

The ceremonies also included Post Commander Larry Core, Chaplain Gary Dipnarine, music from the Bluffton High School Marching Band, and local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.