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By Keith Gushard

Meadville Tribune

Memorial Day is a time of reflection — not only to honor those in the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who are serving now, said Robert Eiler, a past state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Memorial Day is a day of conflicting emotions for each of us,” said Eiler at Meadville’s observance of the holiday. “A blend of pride and mournfulness, gratitude and loss and a deep abiding sense of patriotism.”

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Eiler, of Conneaut Lake, served as state commander of the VFW in 2005-2006. He was guest speaker at the Meadville Area Memorial Day Committee’s program, entitled “They Served with Honor, Preserving Freedom.” A crowd of more than 500 was on hand for Monday’s midday ceremonies at Meadville’s Diamond Park.

The sacrifices that have been made are sometimes forgotten or disregarded — especially by those who have gained the most from them, according to Eiler.

“I think that it would be a good idea for those who take so much for granted to consider what alternatives would be available to them, if not for the selfless sacrifice of so many of our comrades,” he said.

The public must be on guard against those who may try to rewrite the history of freedom’s struggles, Eiler said.