Cedar Rapids Memorial Day Observance 2013

I have never attended a Memorial Day ceremony. In the past the 42N team has traversed cemeteries and parks on Memorial Day to see flags and people but never actually attended a live event. That changed today. Cedar Rapids' Metro Area Veterans Council Memorial Day Event was conducted at the ice arena because of rain in the forecast. Inside the lobby were hundreds of people, many of them elderly, dressed in attire identifying themselves as U.S. veterans.

Master of Ceremonies, Cary J. Hahn (news director at radio station KMRY) and a U.S. Navy veteran spoke about the occasion and introduced speakers. The one hour event was broadcast live on 1450 KMRY.

The guest speaker was U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Mike Brown (retired.) Mike was a certified B-52 bombing and navigation systems technician and served in Desert Storm with the 806th Expeditionary Bombing Wing. He spoke of the service of his father, the loss of his friends and colleagues during a B-52 explosion and the war-readiness condition his units maintained during the height of the cold war with the Soviets.

The New Horizons Band played Sousa marches and other patriotic music before during and after the ceremonies. Poignant portions of the ceremony included playing each service's theme. Mr. Hahn asked members of the audience to stand as they heard their service music. Veterans of the Navy stood when 'Anchors Away' was played, then the Air Force, Army and Marines stood in succession upon hearing their songs. Hahn recited a portion of the poem, 'In Flanders Fields' as the band played. The reading brought tears to many people.

Today's ceremony included a volley salute from the Marine Corps League, who stepped outside the door to fire their weapons before taps was played. Many audience members consisted of veterans, their spouses and children. While this group represented each branch of service, missing were various segments of ordinary citizens. While the few hundred person turnout didn't phase the vets the most important issue was remembering those who did serve and lost their lives so that freedom and liberty can remain cornerstones of our lives.

Air Power on Display

What secures the United States? People do. People who are aided by powerful delivery platforms secure our safety daily with, among other things, extensive aerospace technology. Near Rapid City, South Dakota’s Ellsworth AFB at the entrance to the active base is a collection of former war birds that include WWII era aircraft to Cold War missiles and today’s modern bomber.

South Dakota Air and Space Museum features outdoor static displays as well as an expansive indoor hanger area with a missile silo mock-up, bomber training simulator and much more.

A Rockwell B1-B bomber stands as the centerpiece to the museum. An active number of these bombers are based at Ellsworth AFB. Training missions involving the B1-B can be observed as we did on that day.

At the side of the museum hanger is a Vietnam-era B-52. These venerable bombers were introduced in the 1950s and are still in service today – not bad for a fifty year old warrior. This particular BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow) as they were politely called is painted in jungle camouflage.

Another member of the Ellsworth family is the World War II B-29 bomber which is seen here. B-29s delivered the final blows to end the war in the Pacific. This particular B-29 is called Legal Eagle II.



Located around Ellsworth AFB were silos that once housed the Minuteman II missile (photo above.) These nuclear tipped missile traveled at 15,000 mph with a range of 7,000 miles – enough to reach targets in the Soviet Union. A treaty with the Soviets eliminated the Minuteman II missile (and their Soviet counterpart.) In response the Minuteman III missile was developed and deployed to help guard our nation. Know that.