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WORLAND - Veterans, friends and family gathered at the American Legion Post 44 Memorial Day services at Riverview Memorial Gardens in Worland to honor those who have served their country and who lost their lives during that service.

Remembering the fallen and thanking the families of the fallen was the resounding theme throughout the services, which were opened with a welcome by Washakie County Commissioner Terry Wolf, who noted this was the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day observances.

Worland Mayor Jim Gill noted the commitment of Worland residents to service, both in the military and in other capacities, adding that the freedoms people enjoy today are thanks to the many veterans who have served.

Wyoming Adjutant General Major General Luke Reiner said, "What I know about this community is that you are very military and veteran friendly; and you support those who exercise the profession of arms, both in the past and the present, and you support their families. And, I know that because this community sends its men and women to the military. In fact, there are members here today that I've deployed with."

Reiner spoke about the 300 Field Artillery unit who went to Korea and "stopped the spread of communism in that part of the world. And that's the shoulders, that those of us currently serving, stand on today."

Reiner also spoke on the three holidays that honor the military, Armed Forces Day that honors those currently serving, Veterans Day that honors those who have served and Monday, Memorial Day, to honor "our war dead."

He said, "Today, we honor those who did not wake to the beauty of this nation," adding that Memorial Day is a day also to honor those who didn't wake to the beauty of Wyoming, who were not able to hold their spouse, who were unable to hug their kids, or tuck them into bed.

"What we today take for granted they do not experience. We honor them because they gave their life for us, so that this nation that we cherish can continue. So that we can continue to live in freedom and practice our way of life. They gave their all for his nation," Reiner said.

He said along with honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, Memorial Day is also an opportunity to recognize the families of those who have lost a loved one to service to their country.

"Today as we honor our fallen, I also ask you to grieve with the mother, who hears the sound of her child's 21-gun salute. I ask you to grieve with the husband or wife who receives a folded flag. I ask you to grieve with and for a young son or daughter who only knows their dad or their mom from a photograph. As we share their grief we honor those who grieve, and we honor those who fell, those who placed this nation above self and gave their all."

Reiner advised those in attendance at the services that they, along with all Americans, have a responsibility to the service men and women who died and to their families. That responsibility is that "we not waste or squander what we have been given and that we protect and defend our way of life and our freedoms. It is our responsibility to care for families of those who fell, and it is our responsibility to never forget those who dies and remind our children and our grandchildren of the heavy price of freedom and what the true meaning of Memorial Day is. It's not just the first day of summer. It's a hallowed day and a day of remembering and honoring those soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen who served this country."

Sen. John Barrasso also spoke of the incredible service of Worland area residents who served in Korea.

He said one of the Cowboy Cannoneers who served both in World War II and Korea was his father-in-law, Bob Brown, who at the age of 92, still serving others by volunteering at the Thermopolis senior center. Barrasso spoke about the spirit of veterans, noting Bob Brown told him recently when they were speaking about North Korea to "tell President Trump if he needs me I'm ready to go back and finish the job."

Following the reading of "In Flanders Fields" written by John McCrae, Barrasso said it is the next generation's responsibility to hold the flag up high. As the poem states, "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw, The torch; be yours to hold it high."

He then quoted former President Ronald Reagan, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction ... It is something that has to be fought for, defended, protected and then handed on to the next generation to do the same."

Barrasso presented every veteran with a Wyoming challenge coin. The coin has the bucking bronc and says "United States Senate" and "Wyoming." The cowboy and bucking bronc is there because "cowboys never quit, cowboys never complain, and neither will the United States military," he said.

In conclusion, Barrasso said, "We are here to remember but also to resolve, because as the Gettysburg Address goes on to say, 'Let us here, highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.' We come here today to honor the dead and thank their families and to never forget."

The program also included the singing of the national anthem by Stacy Green Newby, the reading of "In Flanders Fields" by Girl Scout Kasia Strohman and the reading of the "Reply to In Flanders Fields" by Girl Scout Bella Kunz. There was a gun salute and the playing of "Taps."

Wreaths were placed in honor of the departed for each armed forces branch, war and service organizations including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Auxiliary, Post 44 Support Our Troops, BPO Elks and Does, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Eagles Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout, Cub Scouts and veteran from World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon, Panama and Grenada, Persian Gulf War, and War Against Terror.