National observances honor the military during May

Friday, May. 20, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — As the nation honors those who served in the military, past and present, during National Military Appreciation Month, Utah Catholics recall their experiences and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

U.S. Navy Ensign Eric Lies sometimes faces dangerous situations on the high seas when “less-than-friendly nations aggressively drive to within shouting distance” of the ship he is on; he wonders if he is going to be shot at, he said. “It’s a strange paradox and dichotomy, the serenity [I] find as [I] stare into the jaws of conflict, unblinking, and smile, knowing this could be my last moment on this earth. Everything simply slows down, becomes surreal. The sun shines more brilliantly, the waves are crisper as they crash and roll against the hull of the ship. I think knowing that I’m in harm’s way makes the natural beauty of the world infinitely palpable; there’s nothing but hope, possibilities and the wind in our sails.”

Of the five days in May set aside to honor U.S. military members, Memorial Day is the most widely known; the federal holiday remembers men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.  

A Memorial Day Mass has been celebrated at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City each year since 1947. The celebration attracts many Catholics like Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioner Bob Holt to honor those who have died in action in past wars.

Holt graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. He anticipated seeing action in the Vietnam War, but by the time he finished his pilot training, the aircraft that he was assigned to was no longer in combat service; the Vietnam War ended in 1975. 

“I attend the Memorial Day Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery to honor all veterans, especially those from the Vietnam War. I had a very good Catholic friend, a roommate of mine, who was killed in the Vietnam War,” Holt said with deep emotion. “It’s important that all American veterans are recognized –  those who sacrificed their time to serve our country in a time of need.”

Service men and women, including priests and religious, from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, each of the world wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War are buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, said John Curtice, the cemetery’s director. 

Curtice found the headstones from the Spanish-American War and the Civil War while walking the cemetery grounds, he said. “I look at headstones all the time when I’m out walking around, and it was one day while we were placing military markers on the headstones for the flag program we have for Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day that I found them; I was excited and went into the database to see if I could find out more history about them.”

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, started in the 1860s when Americans in various towns and cities began holding springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers from the Civil War, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. 

The military-themed national observances in May begin on May 1 with Loyalty Day, which is set aside for U.S. citizens to reaffirm their loyalty to their country and to remember their heritage. 

May 3-9, Public Service Recognition Week, honors individuals who serve as federal, state, country, and local government employees. 

May 8, the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, marks the unconditional surrender of Germany during WWII. 

May 16, Armed Forces Day, honors Americans serving in the military.

Memorial Day, the last Monday of the month, is May 30 this year. The Memorial Day Mass at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City, will be celebrated at 9 a.m. All are welcome.