EVANSTON — As the flag was slowly hoisted higher and the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” rang out, people fixed their eyes on the flag and clasped their hands to their hearts. 

One man strained to hold himself erect, straightening his arms to rise from his wheelchair, as Shawn Stahl sang the anthem. 

Veterans and community members alike came to the Uinta County Veterans Board’s community observance of Memorial Day at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29, to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the armed forces. 

Memorial Day was first observed in the aftermath of the Civil War, which had torn the North and the South apart even more than they had been before and pitted families against each other. However, Memorial Day offered a chance at reconciliation as both sides recalled the ultimate sacrifice that their soldiers had given for their beliefs and country. 

As Evanston American Legion speaker Mike Erickson said at the ceremony, Memorial Day was initially known as Decoration Day because it was a day when the graves of the fallen were decorated. However, it was later changed to Memorial Day to put the emphasis on the fallen rather than their graves alone. 

The holiday has become trivialized in recent years, though, which Erickson attributed partially to the holiday’s change to Monday and a three-day weekend — which in turn led to a subsequent change in focus to a long weekend rather than a day of remembrance. 

“To this day, many Americans still do not understand the true meaning of Memorial Day,” Erickson said. 

Various veterans organizations still make sure to recognize the day by decorating graves. Erickson said it takes three hours to put flags on 260,000 gravestones. He also said that 3 p.m. on Memorial Day is a specific time set aside for people to remember the fallen. 

Before finishing his speech, Erickson announced that he will be taking command of the Evanston post this July, and he invited everyone to the meetings, which are open to the public. 

Mike Sellers also spoke on behalf of the Evanston Telehealth Clinic and the Uinta County Veterans Board. He said the clinic is for all veterans, whether they have served in active duty or in peacetime, and it is located where the Lord’s Storehouse used to be (two doors down from the U.S. Forest Service office on Highway 150). He thanked the veterans for their service. 

He then shared some information about the Uinta County Veterans Board, saying its original purpose was to maintain monuments. According to the bylaws, it is also charged with collecting information about available programs concerning veterans’ issues, working to improve services for veterans and organizing ceremonies honoring veterans. 

The board is raising money for a Gulf War monument, which would be the first of its kind anywhere in the U.S. 

Sellers said the Gulf War has been continuing for 27 years and shows no sign of ending anytime soon, yet there are no monuments honoring those who served and lost their lives. This project would be designed to honor them. 

The board has raised about $45,000 toward its $80,000 goal. The monument would be located at the Bear River State Park Welcome Center on the island under the large flagpole. 

Sellers said the board is organizing some fundraisers, including a fundraising color run on June 17 and a Veterans Day banquet. Registration for the color run is available at ucveteransboard.wixsite.com, and costs $20. The color run will take place at Bear River State Park. 

He also said the board raises money to fly the flag at the state park year round; before last year, the state was only able to afford a single flag during the summer months, but the board now purchases four 30-foot flags every year. The board also heads the annual Veterans Day banquet. 

Owen Peterson from the Bridger Valley American Legion spoke at the ceremony as well. He outlined several of the services the American Legion performs. 

This year, the American Legion assisted in bringing WWII Navajo code talker Samuel Holiday to Bridger Valley on May 11. 

The valley American Legion also sponsors Mountain View and Lyman students to attend Boys State and Girls State; hosts essay contests for students; places small American flags on veterans’ graves in seven cemeteries on Memorial Day weekend; conducts a three-volley salute at three cemeteries in the Valley; sponsors and participates in several parades (including the Fourth of July and Pioneer Days); sponsors a Veterans Day dinner on Nov. 11; and many other programs, fundraisers and events. 

The valley American Legion Auxiliary also sponsors the Veterans Freedom Festival, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26, in the Mountain View Town Park. That festival will feature flag ceremonies, a Black Hawk helicopter, a free breakfast and, hopefully, another visit from Holiday. 

Tiffany Pieger, the master of ceremonies, announced that the Uinta County Veterans Board has green lightbulbs donated from Walmart that are free to the public. The lightbulbs are for those who wish to show their support for veterans with a green light on their front porch.

Each of the speakers also expressed approval on behalf of their organizations for the Uinta County Veterans Board’s Gulf War monument project. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Kevin Blackwell played taps while VFW members conducted a three-volley salute. Aside from the trumpet and gunshots, there was absolute silence from all in attendance. 

The program also featured musical tributes, both from violin duets performed by Katherine Hoefler and Ramona Pace and a performance from the MW band. Attendees gathered for a free lunch after the ceremony.