City marks 44th Memorial Day program

(Photos by Randy Cauthron) Maj. Neil Schroeder reflected on the true meaning of Memorial Day during remarks Monday at Riverside Cemetery. [Order this photo]

From the War for Independence to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the sacrifices of fellow Americans span more than 230 years.

Monday was a day to pay tribute to the nation's fallen war heroes. In Spencer, cars lined up along the streets leading to Riverside Cemetery -- site of the city's 44th Memorial Day program. Maj. Neil Schroeder was on hand as the keynote speaker.

"It is an experience I truly embrace," he said. "It was Abraham Lincoln who said: 'Any nation who does not honor its heroes will not long endure.' This simple quote subtly captures the required moral compass necessary for any great nation and its citizens. Today, in Spencer, Iowa, and across this great land we take the message of that quote to heart."

A couple of riders stopped to recognize the sacrifices of fallen soldiers during the 44th Memorial Day program in Spencer. [Order this photo]

Schroeder was born in Hartley and grew up on a nearby family farm. He graduated from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School and was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Schroeder is currently assigned to U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base outside of Omaha, Neb., where he monitors the activities of terrorist organizations and hostile nations. Schroeder's work is part of an effort to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction around the globe.

He lives in Glenwood with his wife, Christine and their three young children: Jackson, Anderson and Ava. To him, a return to his home area was far more than a time for barbecue with friends or the first day the pool opens up.

Many organizations pay tribute to the nation's Armed Forces during the placing of wreaths at Riverside Cemetery. [Order this photo]

"On this Memorial Day 2008, we as a nation are once again involved in hostilities in foreign lands," he said. "Our soldiers are once again fighting and dying for the ideals our nation holds so dear. Our nation is still able to call upon its sons and daughters to go into harm's way, to protect us to defend our way of life and advance the principles we all hold dear."

Schroeder said families also answer the call to duty by their own unwavering support for their loved ones.

"It is important for the American people to continue to support our soldiers, sailors airmen and marines by honoring their service and welcoming them home. We must do so because we recognize that some of these dedicated members of our military may be honored here next year," he said, at the cemetery. "The consequences of serving will become all too real. The cycle of dedication to a higher cause will continue. No matter how politicized or polarized a conflict may become, we as American citizens must not forget the sacrifices these citizens make for their country."

The price is not paid in full, Schroeder reminded the audience. He called Memorial Day the one day each year we acknowledge the debt we owe to the men and women who lost their lives in combat.

"Could anything be more contradictory than the lives of our soldiers?" he asked. "They love America, so they spend long years in foreign lands away from her shores. They revere freedom, so they sacrifice their own so that we may be free.

They defend our right to live as individuals, yet sacrifice their individuality in that cause… They value life and so greatly, they ready themselves to die in service to our country."

[Order this photo]

Schroeder himself spent extended amounts of time overseas.

His time as a cadet led to numerous opportunities in the Far East. Trips to Japan and Korea helped him understand military operations in the Pacific Theater. He also was stationed in Hungary and served as an intern for the Secretary of the Air Force staff at the Pentagon.

Schroeder reported to the Royal Air Force in Mildenhall, United Kingdom, for his first active duty assignment. He was deployed twice while assisting the RAF with air field communications and the base's computer network.

His first deployment took him to the Aviano Air Base in northern Italy during Operation Allied Force. His second deployment was to Eskan Village outside of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Southern Watch.

The decorated Air Force technician spent some time in San Antonio, where he helped protect the classified and unclassified information stored on Department of Defense computer networks. He completed his master's degree in Information Systems Management in Dayton, Ohio.

Twenty new flags were dedicated as part of the Memorial Day program. Thirteen of the flags were dedicated in honor of World War II veterans, whose numbers continue to diminish.

The Spencer High School band, under the direction of Kurt Schwark, provided music. Rev. Bruce Brooks of Ninth Street Baptist Church provided spiritual content for the program.