Black Hills National Cemetery welcomes guest for Memorial Day ceremony

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Countless family and friends of fallen men and women met at the Black Hills National Cemetery to pay their respects.

The more than 29,000 headstones had a flag placed in front by family, friends, or volunteers. The ceremony began with a welcome from the Cemetery’s director, Aaron Isom. It continued with a memorial address by a guest speaker urging the audience to remember the sacrifices of those who will not have the opportunities those in attendance have.

“They demand of you, that you never withdraw, surrender or retreat and that you continue to push America and that flag forward so that everybody can understand the intrinsic value of freedom and that freedom is not free,” said Adjutant General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., Dan West.

In addition to the guest speakers, the ceremony included the posting and retirement of colors by Rapid City Post 1273 Honor Guard, laying of wreaths, the Passing of the Flag by American Legion Riders, taps and a 21-gun salute.

For many, this was not their first time attending the ceremony. Dane Senser, son of a World War II veteran has been coming for at least four years and said he had never seen a turnout like Monday, stressing that all fallen military members should be honored.

“We have to honor them. They fought for this country to give our wonderful freedom to us and we’re so appreciative of that. God bless our veterans, you know. The men and women who died for this flag and this country,” Senser said.

The Black Hills National Cemetery ceremonies are two of the more than 130 public Memorial Day ceremonies hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs annually.

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