“Where do such men and women come from?” American Legion Post 9 Commander Tom Mischo asked at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26, in Eureka Springs.

The Americans who have sacrificed their lives for our country come from all walks of life, Mischo said. They come from valleys, mountains, plains, hills, small towns and large cities. They are carpenters, blacksmiths, printers, mechanics, plumbers and construction workers.

“They are us,” Mischo said.

When he hears the question put forth in the National Anthem – “O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave?” – Mischo knows the answer.

“We can say that it does because of the men and women we honor today lying under the field of green in this country and throughout this world,” Mischo said.

Mischo, who spoke in place of the planned speaker, quoted President Ronald Reagan and listed numerous battles since America began: Concord, Bunker Hill, Fort McKinley, New Orleans, Gettysburg, Manila Bay, Belleau Wood, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Hamburger Hill and so many more.

American Legion Post 9 is nearly 106 years old, Mischo said, and he’s proud to be its commander.

“That’s quite incredible for this small community and her veterans,” Mischo said.

Mischo pointed out the Gold Star Flag, which represents the families of military members who have died in service.

“It’s only for immediate family members, and it cannot be flown unless they are present,” Mischo said.

Also at the ceremony, Mischo recognized the honor guard. He thanked honor guard members who attend funerals to perform graveside services, including the Northwest Arkansas Warriors Watch Riders. Local Warriors Watch members have volunteered to help with graveside services quite a bit over the past year, Mischo said.

“Sometimes when the captain puts out the call, within hours the guard is standing in uniform at the gravesites with the grieving family to do military honors,” Mischo said. “I’ve witnessed them in the cold, in the rain and in the heat.”

He continued, “They travel long distances finding small family plots, sometimes with three or four headstones in them, so we can carry out this duty to the fallen and departed with great respect.”

The honor guard performs these services because it’s the right thing to do, Mischo said.

“As the American Legion, we are obligated … to perform this task not by law but by privilege,” Mischo said. “One more time, we can say to our brothers and sisters … thank you.”

First Vice Commander Anita “Jinx” Toney remembered service members who were captured or missing in action, pointing to the POW/MIA Empty Chair. Toney said the empty chair represents Americans who are missing but still here in spirit.

Toney described the meaning of the table, saying it is round to symbolize our everlasting concern. The white cloth represents the purity of service members’ motives when answering the call, the single red rose reminds us of those American lives, the yellow ribbon symbolizes our continued uncertainty and the lemon reminds us of their bitter fate, “captured or missing in a foreign land.”

“The candle reflects our hope for their return, and the glass is inverted to symbolize their inability to share a toast with us,” Toney said. “All Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered the nation’s call and served the cause of freedom in a special way.”

Service Officer Ferguson Stewart offered prayers to begin and end the ceremony, thanking God for the opportunity to recognize fallen military service members.

“Let us pause to pay tribute to our dearly departed,” Stewart said. “Let us honor the memory of the service men and women who made the supreme sacrifice so we may live in a country that is free.”

He continued, “May we always be reminded of the wonderful lives we have because of their services. Lord, we thank you for the many blessings. We ask that you heal our country. Bless us with health and healing.”