ROCKLAND — On the heels of two beautiful days that marked the start of a holiday weekend, David Sulin had intended to incorporate phrases like: “the wonderful smell of a pine laden breeze,” and “feel the breeze off the harbor,” and “as we gather in the shadow of the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial.” He still verbalized those phrases from his Memorial Day 2024 speech, but then waited expectantly for the chuckles of irony that emanated from a tolerant audience, who, at the last minute, found themselves crowding into the American Legion Hall in Rockland. To offset the change of venue, Sulin added phrases such as “a roof over our heads,” and “the ability to adapt.”

By 10 a.m., Monday, May 27, a gray and persistent morning drizzle had soaked the lawn of Chapman Park, where the Memorial Day Ceremony takes place most years. The trees dripped with rain, and the 53-degree temperatures were punctuated with a coolness that would have added chill to a wet audience.

The bare park, similar to the gray day, cut short many of the public’s holiday plans, and that was fine with members of the American Legion Post 1.

Don’t think of Memorial Day as another long weekend, a time to open up camp or get ready for summer, implored Chaplain Gary Grant.

“Those things are all well and good,” he said. “But take a moment out of this day to remember why we have those freedoms.”

The introduction to Grant’s closing prayer begins: “Heavenly father who sees all of the hurt, comfort the hearts of those who have lost loved ones in the military.”

According to Sulin, Memorial Day is born of a heartfelt desire by veterans to honor those soldiers who sacrificed their lives, and the families who lost loved ones. Regardless of day, decade, or century, veterans and families continue to grieve.

In 2004, Sulin attended the Memorial Day ceremonies for the dedication of America’s World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. A teary-eyed veteran told Sulin that he would gladly return his chest full of medals if just one of his fallen friends could have been there in Washington with him that day.

For many, the people who did not return from war are the real heroes.

‘“Stop saying ‘Happy Memorial Day’ as it is highly insensitive to the families who have lost loved ones in the service of this country,” said Sulin.

However, Sulin and Grant’s general requests for solemnity were offset by the youthful voices of three Oceanside Middle School singers, as well as the always-jubilant medley of service songs that precedes the conclusion of many American Legion ceremonies.

Also in attendance to help honor the day, were a couple of City Councilors, members of Rockland Fire and EMS, and Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor, of the Rockland Police Department.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com