By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The true meaning of Memorial Day was not lost in Niles.
The 2007 Sunday celebration was designed to return the solemnity of the original intent for the day. Organizers and participants wanted young and old alike, to understand the ultimate sacrifice so many made for their freedom.
Lou Liebetrau, co-chair of the committee, which brought the Veterans Memorial to Riverfront Park, spoke at the Sunday afternoon service. She told of an impromptu survey she did of Niles' elementary school students, prior to the May 26 weekend.
"Many of the responses, at first, are cute. They can be funny, however, think of it. I think you too will find it sad," Liebetrau said.
Liebetrau, and many other Niles' citizens, were determined to keep focus on service men and women, past and present, from all factions of military service. She read some of the children's answers about the meaning of Memorial Day.
"It's the day when lots of stores have big sales. It's when Dad and Mom take us on a trip. Mom buys our bathing suit for less money. Dad buys bats and balls on sale. We go and sign up for baseball. Dad opens the pool. Soon there will be no more school for 100 years. Mommy puts the winter clothes away with little white balls that smell bad. Dairy Queen opens," the children said.
"Is it any wonder little children don't know why this is a holiday. Ever since it became a three-day sales weekend, the meaning has become lost. Well, until all those stores donate, the profits they make from those sales to veterans' hospitals, they won't get me," Liebetrau said. She said she was pleased at the number of people who brought children to the Sunday service to hear the speeches and see the laying of the wreath. It was a special time too, for those volunteers and corporate sponsors of the yellow ribbon memorial garden.
Elaine Metzger took to the podium and dedicated the garden, on the slope behind the monument, to those who have served their country, in all wars. She admitted that this was the first celebration she had attended.
"It never seemed that personal to me. I had no family that was affected directly by war. Then, with this war, I knew friends whose children went. As a mother, I felt it. So I wanted to find out a bit more about how flowers and yellow ribbons became part of remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice," Metzger said. In the 1949 movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," the heroine wore a yellow ribbon around her neck until her love returned home to her. During the Iran hostage crisis the symbol rose to national attention.
A wreath was laid at the memorial by Harry Roberts, commander of Niles American Legion Post 26.