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Hundreds of people came together to honor the thousands of men and women who sacrificed themselves for our country on Memorial Day, May 26. 

Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery and Cedar Hill Cemetery held special services remembering those who have fallen and the families who have lived on without them.

Albert G. Horton is one of three state veterans cemeteries operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS). Every year, volunteers place American flags at each grave site and speakers reflect on this day of remembering.

This year, Dave Buchy, commander of the American Legion Nansemond Post 88, was the emcee, and the keynote speakers were Chuck Zingler, DVS commissioner, and retired U.S. Army Major Larry Moores.

In his speech, Moores said those who serve can be explained with one simple phrase: “They are ordinary people who, by virtue of their service and sacrifice, are extraordinary.”

He continued to share that he enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 18, and was immediately assigned to the First Ranger Battalion in Savannah, Georgia. 

He reflected on his time in Mogadishu, Somalia, to assist with the capture of Mohamed Farrah Aidid when an overnight gun battle ensued. 

“I often think of that attack and the fight that we went through that night,” Moores said. “We lost 18 soldiers in that 18-hour period, and had 70 more wounded during the fight throughout the night and the next day. It was amazing watching my fellow Rangers continue to fight in the worst of circumstances, and they demonstrated the bravery and tenacity that has been displayed with American fighting men and women throughout our nation’s history.”

He mentioned two young soldiers who died that day, Sergeant Lorenzo Ruiz and Sergeant Dominick Pilla. His voice cracked with sadness as he spoke their names.

“They were way too young to be lost that day in a foreign land,” he said. “I remember this day reciting the Ranger’s creed at their memorial ceremony.”

Zingler reflected on how our country will be approaching 250 years as a nation very soon, and one of the first things we established was the Army and the Navy, followed by the Marine Corps, the Air Force, a Coast Guard, and now a space force. 

“They have created a passion, a commitment to freedom and liberty, and even at the risk of sacrifice and pain, to extend to so many others those freedoms, and we are grateful for that,” he said. “And to me, that is a clarion signal through all the chaos and all the debate and all of our differences to make this promise, this experiment of freedom and democracy for the generations that come after us, so please extend to your families and your communities the time that you are taking today.”

After 31 years of service, Zingler admitted it was difficult to transition to life as a veteran. He said it’s disheartening to know how few people are aware of the services the DVS provides.

“Whether you’re going to lose your home and become homeless, whether today’s economy, you lose a job and you don’t know how you’re going to pay the bills, we find ways to help you,” he said. “Whether or not you’ve suffered in this last 25 years, this quarter century of conflict post 911, from PTSD, critical brain injury, suicide, opioid addiction, justice involvement where you’ve walked astray or gotten into trouble, we help those. I only want you to know that so you know how to find us, so that we can find you and help you where you are.”

Members of Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery Honor Guard performed the ceremonial wreath presentations. 

For nearly 100 years, the Norman R. Mathews Post 57 American Legion has hosted a Memorial Day service at Cedar Hill Cemetery. 

Guest Speaker Jason Wooldridge, the Post legislative chairman, shared some statistics about those who have died while serving. 

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, between 1775 and 1991, the US military recorded 651,031 battle deaths and 539,054 non-combat deaths, totaling 1.19 million fatalities. From 1980 to 2022, there were 60,770 recorded deaths.

Servicemen from the Air Force, Army, and Navy placed ceremonial wreaths at all of the cemetery’s war memorials. Robert Grady of the Army and Johnny Beale of the Air Force lowered the American flag at the end of the service.

A repeated message throughout both services was an emphasis on the true meaning of Memorial Day; a day to honor and remember those who died serving our country.

“This holiday is about one thing, and I hope for all of you and for your friends that either coming to a destination like this to honor those who have paid that sacrifice,” Zingler said. “If you can’t, I hope at least you will hit your knees sometime this weekend, and think about those. Think about your loved ones. Think about someone in your community, but pay tribute to their service.”