Remembering the price of freedom

New Prague joined the nation in observing Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, and more than one speaker reminded people why it is a solemn holiday.

"Our freedom came at a price," said Father David Barrett, regional associate pastor of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, during the program in Memorial Park. He asked for blessings on those who have served, in active service and "Bless all those veterans unable to be buried with their loved ones."

Earlier in the day the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard with VFW Commander Nick Slavik, American Legion Past Commander George Tupy and others visited area cemeteries and read the names of veterans interned at each of them. Cemeteries included St. Patrick, St. Benedict, Lanesburgh, Union Hill, Czech National and St. Wenceslaus. During a Mass at St. Wenceslaus, Father Kevin Clinton reminded people about the freedoms that soldiers fought and died for. How America is a country of immigrants, who came here because things were not going well in their countries. That there are those who are unsympathetic to the new wave of immigrants. He said of the old and new immigrants, "They all left, because if they had stayed they would have been killed."

"Your attendance signifies you greatly understand the meaning of Memorial Day," said Lt. Col. Keith Barta, the featured speaker at the program. The son of Fritz and Dorothy Barta of Montgomery, he has had mobilizations to Kuwait and Iraq as both a Company and Battalion Commander. A lifelong resident of New Prague, LTC Barta currently commands the 419th Transportation Battalion located in Peoria, IL. He reminded the audience in the park that Memorial Day is more than burgers, cookouts and picnics. It is a solemn occasion to remember those who gave their lives so people can enjoy those picnics. He said that many battles were "ordinary people put in extraordinary situations." Those battles affected many people from the veterans to members of the Gold Star Families.

He noted that in World War II, 10 percent of the population had served, whereas there is one percent of the population serving now.

To see more on this story pick up the June 2, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.