We must not forget how much was done for one and all

In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the details of things that happened long ago. For some of us, it’s easy to forget the fine details of things that happened the other day.

For many years, the men who’ll get together and visit New Prague area cemeteries later this week, they want to make sure we never forget the selfless sacrifices of so many. The sacrifices of a few should always be remembered, and honored, by every single one of us. Every. Single. One.

Randy Fierst of the New Prague American Legion and the group of 15 or so will visit New Prague and area cemeteries with flags to remember, and honor, the sacrifices of young men and women who gave so much so we can enjoy the high quality of life we all too often take for granted. Unfortunately, New Prague lost 17 soldiers during combat.

Whether it be in the deserts or the mountains of the Middle East or the fields of Europe, the waters of distant oceans or the skies above, they gave us their youth, their innocence and their commitment. When many came home, they didn’t want to talk about the things they saw and had to do. They didn’t want to share the experiences that aged them far too fast. The past, many felt, was relegated to the past and there it should sit. My Dad scolded me when as a youngster I found the bronze star and paperwork detailing how he, as a young U.S. Army second lieutenant, crawled on his belly to within 90 feet of a Japanese machine gun emplacement amidst “furious fire” to drag back a wounded scout patrolling ahead of the platoon in a rural area in the Philippines during World War II.

If I wanted you to know about that, he said in a tone more sternly than he normally used, I would have told you.

The son of a German immigrant and a firstgeneration American whose parents came here from France, Dad gave up law school to work in the family business and eventually volunteered for military service. He was stern and direct in his younger years, most oftentimes using few words to make his point.

It wasn’t until his grandson went off to war in Iraq as part of an Army Reserve unit that Dad shared some of the experiences he quietly carried with him all these years. The years had taken a toll on him and he no doubt feared for his grandson.

Today, Dad rests in peace in a cemetery in Mendota Heights, adjacent to his wife of 53 years, two daughters and a granddaughter. He’ll be remembered and honored with a flag this week. It’s the least we can do.

In New Prague, Randy Fierst and members of the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard will place over 600 flags at cemeteries in New Prague and the surrounding area. Fortunately, the overwhelming number of soldiers who’ll receive a flag at their final resting place came home and lived good lives.

Whether they were killed in action or passed away years after the military service was completed, remembering the men and woman who served is important. They gave us so much that to not honor their service is to take what they gave for granted. For the members of the honor guard, placing the flags is a task they perform proudly.

“People forget,” Fierst said. “It’s a visual reminder that, hey, people went off and sacrificed years of their lives. Some didn’t come home. Some came home and built a community and raised their families. They were regular citizens who did what they were supposed to do.”

The veterans have improved the way they place the flags. They are more efficient now, working together to make sure the graves of veterans who have passed away are found and properly marked with a flag. Fierst began leading the group in 1987 after a few years under the tutelage of Hank Bisek.

He’d been leading the effort to mark gravesites for decades.

Honor guard members also place flags on light poles along Main Street. The flags were placed earlier this month and will be up until after Veterans Day. In addition to the flags at gravesites, the names of veterans who have left us will also be read. From the men who served in Europe during the Great War to the men and women who served in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, they will all be honored and rightfully remembered.

“Maybe they served in world War I and there’s no family around anymore. It may be only for a minute or so, but they’ll be remembered,” Fierst said.