‘Gold is good in its place, but living, brave, patriotic men are better than gold.?
President Abraham Lincoln spoke those words during the great Civil War.
They were uttered again Monday, this time in Oxford by township Supervisor Bill Dunn during his Memorial Day speech in Centennial Park.
‘Today, at this moment ? as we are enjoying this beautiful day and making plans for a wonderful summer ? remember that men and women, black and white, Latino and Asian, and many other ethnic heritages, have served and sacrificed for our country,? he said.
Dunn is a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Air Force from 1966-70. He’s also a proud member of Lake Orion American Legion Post 233.
‘As we remember these brave warriors and their comrades-in-arms on this Memorial Day, we must look to the future as well as the past,? he said. ‘In today’s world, freedom comes cloaked in uncertainty. America still relies on her sons and daughters to defend her liberty.?
Thinking of our brave servicemen and women stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and ‘many other less newsworthy hot spots around the world,? Dunn said, ‘Our troops are working selflessly to bring lasting peace and give the world a taste of what freedom means. They deserve the support and gratitude of us all.?
Looking back at America’s wars, Dunn recited the total number of casualties and dead in each conflict.
‘Those Americans who died in all these wars did their duty and we know who they are as we visit the cemeteries and note the dates of their shortened lives on the headstones,? he said. ‘We know their loved ones, their wives and mothers, their children, and the friends who shall always miss them.?
‘The cost of independence remains high, but we are willing to pay it,? Dunn said. ‘We pay it with deep reverence and thanks to those who have sacrificed their lives for America.?
‘We know that in the years to come, more brave souls will sacrifice their lives for our nation.?
Dunn closed by urging the assembled crowd to ‘please take a few moments and remember? all the ‘brave men and women who are away from family, spouses, children and friends.?
‘Remember who they are, what they fight for and what they sacrifice for us,? he said. ‘Remember those who fought and died on countless battlefields over 230 years. Remember the values they stand for ? duty, honor, selfless service, liberty and justice, freedom from persecution and freedom to pursue our choices and our happiness.?

Nearly 200 people gathered at the Veterans Memorial in Lake Orion Saturday to pay tribute to all those who’ve served in the U.S. Military.
Of special significance on this Veterans Day, was a tree planting in memory of Marine Sgt. Raymond Plouhar who died while serving in Iraq this summer.
On hand for the ceremony were Sgt. Plouhar’s parents, sisters, cousins, friends and community members, all of whom came to remember the fallen Marine in their own way.
A bell was rung for each Lake Orion serviceman that had died while serving in wars, with the final tone being struck for Sgt. Plouhar.
During the hour-long ceremony, the attendees united in the singing of patriotic songs and later heard a heartfelt prayer for peace and mutual understanding from Lake Orion Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel.
Another highlight of the ceremony came with the unveiling of the long-awaited Peacoat Memorial, a tribute to all Americans who died and were buried at sea.
The bronze memorial represented the fruition of a 25-year dream for Lake Orion veteran Joseph Zikewich.
Zikewich had served aboard the U.S.S. Lexington, a Navy aircraft carrier, when it was hit by a Japanese kamikaze plane, killing 47 of his shipmates.
It had been his goal to honor those lost on the Lexington that day, and all others whose bodies were buried at sea. Zikewich said he wanted them to be remembered through a special memorial in their honor.
In traditional fashion, a pair of young buglers from Lake Orion High School stood at either end of the memorial and sounded taps, concluding the ceremony.

Both children and adults lined Flint, Florence and Lapeer Streets late Monday morning to watch the annual Memorial Day parade, hosted by the American Legion Post 233.
The parade route went through downtown Lake Orion and featured a combination of veterans, scouts, motorcyclists, old cars and the Lake Orion High School marching band.
Family, friends and veterans gathered at the Orion Veterans Memorial, located on Lapeer Road, on Monday afternoon to pay tribute to the men and women from the Orion area that served for our country.
For more photos from the day’s events, see this week’s hardcopy edition.

Long after the roar of the canons has ceased . . .
. . . we remember.
Long after we’ve won the peace, one more time . . .
. . . we remember.
Long after the weary soldier has carried his lifeless comrade off the battlefield . . .
. . . we remember.
Long after a heart-broken mother’s tears have dried . . .
. . . we remember.
Long after a grieving young widow’s been presented the flag that draped her husband’s casket . . .
. . . we remember.
Long after a boy stops waiting by the window for a father who will never come home . . .
. . . we remember.
We remember not because we’re forced to, but because we choose to.
We remember not because we desire to dwell in sadness, but because we wish to honor sacrifice.
We remember so that future generations do not forget all those who fought, bled and died for a cause greater than themselves.
? Editor C.J. Carnacchio

The world is a much bigger and more complicated place than it used to be.
People’s lives are busier than ever as the future grows more uncertain on a daily basis.
But despite it all, one thing remains constant ? small towns never forget their heroes.
Thank goodness.

Members of Oxford Cub Scout Pack 366 gathered at Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery Sunday to honor all the veterans buried there.
After raising the flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and saying a prayer, the scouts went through the cemetery, row by row, planting American flags beside the graves of veterans who served during times of war and peace.

Oxford residents never fail to pay proper tribute to all the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty and security every U.S. citizen enjoys today. Memorial Day in a small town is like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life, from the Boy Scout standing next to the flag to the veteran with his head bowed in prayer. We are all so very thankful.

‘From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, from the sands of Iwo Jima to the rice paddies of Vietnam to the fields of Iraq, American soldiers have fought and died for over 200 years defending liberty and preserving freedom around the world.?
You could hear a pin drop in Centennial Park on Memorial Day as Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson (R-Oxford) reminded the assembled crowd of the heavy price our nation has paid for the freedoms we hold dear and enjoy every single day.
‘The human cost in American lives lost in times of war is hard to grasp,? said Patterson, who’s an honorary member of American Legion Post 108. ‘More than 4,400 combat deaths were reported during the American Revolution. Some 53,000 of America’s bravest and finest perished in World War I. Two hundred ninety-one thousand made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II. Thirty-three thousand came to an end in Korea. And nearly 50,000 Americans died fighting for democracy in Vietnam.?
‘So many young lives denied the reward of old age,? he said. ‘The light of youth extinguished so that the lamp of freedom may continue to burn brightly.?
‘So much promise lost on battlefields so far from home. But without those willing and gallant warriors, tyranny and evil would be free to scorch the land with hatred and domination.?
As Patterson said ‘no one knows the horror of war more than the soldier who serves on the front line,? but the words he quoted from General Dwight Eisenhower remind us all that sometimes there is no alternative.
‘I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can,? Eisenhower once said. ‘But in the final choice, a soldier’s pack is not so heavy as a prisoner’s chains.?