By Hope Zitting | [email protected]

“We’ve gathered to give honor to our hero’s buried here. Those who served our country for the freedom we hold dear. In times of peace. In times of war. At home or overseas. Because they served, “Old Glory” still waves proudly in the breeze. Dear Lord we still have many yet on the battlefield. Guide them and protect them. Be their armor and their shield. And when the conflict’s over and our victory flag has flown, bring the sons and daughters of our nation, safely home. To those who gave their very lives, words cannot convey they gratitude felt in our hearts for what each had to pay. May the spirits of our brave who now dwell with Thee above; know a thankful nation, remembers them with love.”

​This poem, titled “Memorial Day,” was composed by Marine Corps Veteran Ron Tranmer, who also led the Memorial Day Tribute Ceremony at 9 a.m. on May 30 at the Herriman City Cemetery, located at 12520 South Pioneer Street.

“May we never be too busy to honor and pay tribute to the many men and women who have given their very lives in defense of our country, and to all who have ever served in the military and on the battlefields serving defending and protecting our freedom. May God be with them,” Ron Tranmer said, opening the ceremony.

The tribute ceremony began with an introduction by Riverton Post 140 American Legion Commander Ron Tranmer and proceeded with an opening prayer by Chaplain Roger Davis. Afterward, Tranmer recited a poem he had written, and Miss Riverton, Whitney Gillman, sang the National Anthem. Following, Legion Adjutant Bruce Thayne gave a Memorial Day speech. A former commander volunteered to offer another poem and the Reading of the Names of veterans buried in the cemetery was given by another member of the Riverton Post 140 American Legion. The playing of the taps followed, and the Tribute Ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute.

“We’re so thankful for the freedom we have. We’re thankful for everything that has been granted to us, for this land of liberty and for this exceptional nice day that we have to participate in this program. We pray for the servicemen and servicewomen wherever they are this day that they may be protected and that they will be doing the things that they should be doing, and someday that they may all come home,” Chaplain of Riverton Post 140 American Legion, Roger Davis, said during the opening prayer of the Memorial Day tribute ceremony.

“This reading from Deborah Parker, who was a soldier at Bamberg, Germany: ‘Darkness enveloped the whole American armada. Not a pinpoint of light showed from those hundreds of ships as they surged on through the night toward their destiny, carrying across the ageless and indifferent sea tens of thousands of young men, fighting for…for, well, at least each other.’…These words impel us to remember the cost of bringing America this far, and also force us to admit the price is not yet paid in full. This is what Memorial Day symbolizes. A time Americans take a clear look at both our past and our future,” Legion Adjutant Bruce Thayne said during his speech.

“One day each year that we acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who because they so cherished peace, chose to live as warriors,” Thayne said. Today can’t be contradictory to the lives of our soldiers. They love America; they spent long years in foreign lands, far from our shores. They revere freedom, so they sacrifice their own that we may be free. They defend our right to live as individuals, yet yield their individuality in that cause. Perhaps, the most paradoxically of all, they value life, and so bravely ready themselves to die in the service of our country,” Thayne said.