As the haunting sounds of Taps echoed through the grounds around Fort Rucker’s Veteran’s Park May 22, retired Col. Joseph F. Rutkowski gazed at several rows of young Soldiers holding crisp salutes and his mind took him back to a long ago Vietnam battlefield.

“(On Memorial Day), I often think of the young Soldiers, 18 or 19 years old, who left the battlefield in body bags,” Rutkowski said. “My (UH-1) Huey carried some of those departed brave souls.”

Rutkowski, along with dozens of Soldiers, retirees and Wiregrass community members, visited the post last week to honor America’s fallen servicemembers during the annual Memorial Day ceremony here.

The event, which included remarks and a wreath-laying ceremony conducted by 1st Aviation Brigade command team Col. Richard Beckinger and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Frye, was Rutkowski’s 30th Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Rucker.

“Anyone who enjoys the freedom, opportunity and prosperity this great nation provides has an obligation to honor those who made it happen,” Rutkowski said. “(These ceremonies) show respect for those who gave all in support of this nation and (attending the ceremonies) is an obligation that I and my wife must honor.”

During his brief remarks, Beckinger called on those present at the May 22 ceremony to work to remind the nation that Memorial Day is more than an extra day of rest.

“Today is a solemn day of remembrance, dedicated to those who have died in our nation’s service,” he said. “This Memorial Day and every day, may we never forget those who have died for us.”

For Capt. Troy McCormick, A Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment commander, last week’s ceremony was his first Fort Rucker Memorial Day ceremony as commander of the Advanced Individual Training students here. The young commander said it was important for his Soldiers to attend the Memorial Day ceremony to help them better understand the heritage of the Army Family they now belong to.

“I think it is important to observe Memorial Day to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms — they truly are the heroes,” he said.

Rutkowski said while Memorial Day is an important day to honor America’s fallen servicemembers, the nation’s citizens must remember and honor those who protect the country’s freedom throughout the year.

“I’m not sure enough people in this country appreciate how fortunate they are to have Soldiers protecting what others made possible for us today,” he said. “We proudly fly the flag at our home around the clock (because) it is much more than a symbol to us; it is freedom, bright and shiny.”