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Veterans Memorial National Anthem Camillia Olson and Michael Edison (US Army) lead singing the National Anthem. Riderless horse Memorial Wreath Nancy Shaffer, American Legion Auxiliary, placed the Memorial Wreath Taps Flags Three volley salute

Morning program by the American Legion Post 47 at the Veteran’s Memorial:
I. Invocation (Prayer): Capt. Phil Vrska, US Marine
II. National Anthem: Camillia Olson and Michael Edison (US Army)
III. Speaker: Michael Edison, American Legion and Cavalry Commander
IV. Presentation of Riderless Horse and American Flag: Lisanne Fear
V. Laying of the Wreath: Nancy Shaffer, American Legion Auxiliary
VI. Taps and moment of silence: Bryson Vrska

Everyone was invited to participate in the Memorial Day Parade down Pine Street to the Cemetery. Escort was provided by the Sublette County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Streeter, Deputy French and Deputy Ryan.

Veterans Memorial, Pinedale, Wyoming
Speaker: Michael Edison, Commander, American Legion Post 47
Soldiers and Patriots,
Today, we honor and remember those who have fallen. Those that did not come home. Those that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all live FREE.
We also remember ALL those who have served in our US Armed Forces, both past and present
(Capt. Phil Vrska, US Marine, Iraq and Afghanistan – all Veterans).

We MUST remember what they stood for, and WHY they gave us their all.
Behind me is this beautiful Memorial. The names of those that have served both past and present are forever engraved upon this granite stone. These are the glorious Sons and Daughters of our beloved Sublette County. They fought for us, for our values, culture and way of life. They fought so that we may remain a free and sovereign people.

Shortly after Pinedale was founded, World War I erupted over in Europe. Over 70 men from Pinedale and the Upper Green answered the call and volunteered to serve. A machine gun company was formed and headquartered out of Pinedale. It was commanded by C.F. Patterson.
They eventually were sent to France. Two of the members were killed there. Clifford Phillips was shot by an enemy sniper and Sydney Edwards was killed in a hospital when an airplane shelled the building. There is a picture of this group you can find in the Pinedale Library.
In World War II, there were over 400 men and women that served from Sublette County. Two young men from Pinedale lost their lives in this war. S.Sgt.
Ralph Wenz was killed in the line of duty when his bomber crashed in the wilds of Alaska. Ralph Wenz Field, Pinedale’s Municipal
Airport is named in his honor.

S.Sgt. Boyd Skinner was killed in action at the battle of Iwo Jima. The town park at the South end of Franklin Avenue is dedicated to him.

In Vietnam, Michael Wilson of Boulder, Wyoming, made the ultimate sacrifice when a booby trap detonated in a battle trying to take another hill
(Survivor: Tyler Wilson, Brother). Marc Vandervelde of Pinedale, fought complications throughout his life that arose from his exposure to
Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used in that war. Marc passed away in the Spring of 2020
(Survivor: Irma Vandervelde, wife).

Today, we also want to remember those Veterans who have succumbed to the invisible wounds of war and taken their own lives or put themselves in dangerous situations caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or other service-connected conditions.
A riderless horse symbolizes the fallen soldier. The boots
of its former rider are reversed in the
stirrups, to represent a fallen soldier looking back at his
troops for the last time.
(Presentation of riderless horse)
"Courage is not living without fear. Courage is being scared to death…
…And doing the right thing anyway." – Chae Richardson
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank GOD that such men
lived." – General George S. Patton, WWII
To many of us who have served, remembering the fallen, is to remember all of our brothers and sisters in arms.

Taps to be played in honor of ALL of the Fallen. (Played by Bryson Vrska)
Moment of silence to remember all those who sacrificed and gave us their all, so that we may remain FREE.

Thank you.

Following the Veteran’s Memorial program, a program was held at the Pinedale Cemetery by the Pinedale VFW. Guest speaker was Hank Ruland.

On Memorial Day, military firing squads perform a three-volley salute as part of the memorial services for fallen service members. This tradition is a specific honor. The three-volley salute signifies the fallen soldier and is a way to honor their service and sacrifice.

The US flag was lowered to half-staff at sunrise on Memorial Day. At noon, the flag is raised to full-staff to signify that the nation lives. This specific display of the flag is a way to both mourn the fallen and celebrate the continuing life of the nation.