South Lake Tahoe to remember fallen soldiers on Memorial Day

A Memorial Day service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Happy Homestead Cemetery, 1261 Johnson Blvd., in South Lake Tahoe. The service will recognize veterans past and present and will be followed by cake and coffee at American Legion Post 795, 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
The following was submitted by Gold Star Mom Patty Smith:

This Memorial Day I hope All American's can remember the true meaning of what we are celebrating and remembering. I hope we all can not only remember on Memorial Day but everyday the Sacrafice's Our Fallen Heroes have given us, FREEDOM as they sacraficed their lives, they have made to securing Our Nations Freedom, we should Honor them especially on Memorial Day.

I ask all Americans recognize how fortunate we are to live in freedom and take a universal "National Moment  of Rememberance" on each Memorial Day. 

This memorial moment observance represents a simple and unifying way to commeemorate our history and honor the struggles protect our Freedoms.
In December 2000 it was directed to take a moment of Silence at 3:00pm for " Remembrance" of Our Fallen Heroes wherever you are and Remember Our Heroes who laid down their lives for Our Country and Freedom. This was directed by William Clinton:

 In Flanders Fields
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on Fields where Valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That Blood of Heroes Never Dies
 
Please Remember All of Our Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day and everyday as We have Our Freedom in this Country for the blood they shed.
 
Please Remember Our Local Heroes who fought for Our Country and Died for Our Country, even though each a different way, they Served for Our Country so we can have this Freedom.

In Loving Memory of Sgt. Timothy Michael Smith, April 7, 2008, U.S. Army
In Loving Memory of Pfc. Phillip Brandon Williams, Oct. 9, 2006, U.S. Army
In Loving Memory of CMCR Richard "Jake" Jacobs, June 28, 2009, U.S. Navy
In Loving Memory of E-5 Kaleb James Martin Curtzwiler, August, 9, 2010, U.S. Navy
In Loving Memory of Sfc. Miranda McElhiney, Sept. 6, 2011, U.S. National Guard
In Loving Memory of Spc. Garrett Anthony Fant, Sept. 26, 2011, U.S. Army
 
God Bless America and Thank You to All of Our Fallen Heroes who died for Our Freedom and Fought for Our Freedom.
 
Patty Smith
Proud Gold Star Mother of
Sgt. Timothy Michael Smith

***
The following speech was written by Major Kenneth Curtzwiler, Retired, of South Lake Tahoe. It has been delivered at two Memorial Day services.

"Daddy, why do you always thank a Veteran? I have often heard that very question from my own kids when they were little whenever I thanked a Veteran for their service in defending this nation and our way of life. Why do we thank a Veteran?

Take a look around and you will have your question answered. We have the freedom to gather together without repercussions or fear that we will be attacked by outside influences. We have the freedom to live where we choose and looking around it looks like most of us have chosen wisely. We have the freedom to vote for our leaders.

We have the freedom to worship whom we choose. We have this freedom because a few have chosen to give us that freedom through military service. You cannot have good without evil, you cannot have Heaven without Hell and you cannot have freedom without the American Soldier.

They fought so we wouldn’t have to. They fight so we won‘t have to. We talk a lot about freedom but what exactly is freedom without the Veteran?

Close your eyes so all you see is darkness, that’s what freedom would look like without our veterans. Cover your mouth so you cannot speak, that’s what freedom would sound like without our veterans. Plug your ears so you cannot hear, that’s what freedom would sound like without our veterans. Thank a Veteran when you see them, honor them when you can’t.

ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE EVER OFFERED TO SACRAFICE THEIR LIFE FOR YOU
JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
ONE DIED FOR YOUR SOUL
ONE DIED FOR YOUR FREEDOM
BOTH ARE WATCHING OVER US
“GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

The following names will be added to the memorial plaque in South Lake Tahoe off of Wildwood Avenue. The names will be added to the plaque where Sgt. Timothy Smith and Spc. Phillip Brandon Williams have names and remembrances at the site.

CMCN RICHARD JACOB’S JR.
AUG 6, 1986 JUNE 28, 2009
NEVER FORGOTTEN

SPC GARRETT ANTHONY FANT
MAY 11, 1990, SEPT 26, 2011

STG3 KALEB JAMES MARTIN CURTZWILER
JAN 27, 1982, AUG 9, 2010

SFC MIRANDA SUMMERWIND McELHINEY
JULY 22, 1980, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED
TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
SONS AND DAUGHTERS
WHO SERVED TO PROTECT OUR GREAT NATION
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE
EVER OFFERED TO DIE FOR YOU
JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
ONE OFFERED TO DIE FOR YOUR SOUL
ONE OFFERED TO DIE FOR YOUR FREEDOM
KNOW THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN