Memorial Day ceremony at Camp Butler honors fallen veterans and their families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Communities in Springfield commemorated the service and sacrifice of veterans at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Organizers said Memorial Day is more than a day on the calendar or, for some, a day off work. The holiday is about honoring the lives lost in the line of duty.

“It is a day that asks us to pause in our busy lives and reflect on the price of freedoms we often take for granted today. We honor the heroes who answered the call to serve and never returned home,” said Billy Fleischli, Misty Buscher’s Chief of Staff.

Rows of American flags were placed in front of headstones. Organizers said while soldiers made sacrifices for the country, their families sacrificed as well.

“Your loved ones belonged first to you, and then they answered a call to serve our nation. We recognize that your sacrifice continues long after the battlefield falls silent,” Fleischli said.

Many Illinoisans share a deep personal connection to Camp Butler. State Sen. Sally Turner said remembering the sacrifices of fallen soldiers goes beyond one day.

Bradley Marcy served in Iraq for the United States Army. Both his grandfather and father are interred at Camp Butler. Marcy said part of appreciating the sacrifice of fallen soldiers is showing kindness to one another.

“I know I can never earn the sacrifice borne by my grandfather and my father in World War II and Vietnam. But I’m going to be a better person for my effort to try than I would be if I didn’t,” Marcy said.