Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served

While Memorial Day may signify the beginning of the summer season and beach weather, let's not forgot it's true purpose: to remember our servicemen and women.

Sag Harbor's Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter is the subject of the American Legion National Headquarters' suggested speech for Memorial Day 2011 and will be honored in countless speeches throughout the country.

The speech recounts Haerter and Corporal Jonathan Yale's actions on the day a truck loaded with 2,000 pounds of explosives approached the base they were protecting. While Iraqi police fled, they stayed. "Knowing that they only had seconds to live, they stood their ground, fired their weapons nonstop at the truck and died in the ensuing blast," the speech reads. "According to the security footage – the men did not even step aside but actually leaned into the danger."

This also marks the first Memorial Day since the death of Army 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert of Shelter Island and Sag Harbor.

Throughout the South Fork there are many ceremonial events to mark the day. Here's the rundown of what's in store between Montauk and Sag Harbor:

• On Sunday, a rifle squad will travel to cemeteries to fire volleys over veteran's graves. The squad will gather at the at 8 a.m.
• The Montauk Memorial Parade of Flags starts at the at 12:30 p.m. Wave your American flags and dress in red, white and blue. 
• To kick-off Monday's events, a flag raising with reveille will be held at the Montauk Green starting at 8 a.m.
• The starts at 9 on Monday morning. Veterans will travel from the the World War I monument at Otter Pond to the Chelberg-Battle Post of the American Legion. WWII and the Korean conflict veteran Dr. Stanley Shore will be a guest speaker at Marine Park.  Refreshments will be served afterward.
• A Burial at Sea ceremony will be held on Monday at at 9 a.m.
• The East Hampton Memorial Day Parade occurs on Monday. Veterans and current servicemen and women begin in front of at 10:30 a.m. and march to the East Hampton Village Memorial Green in front of the . Students will be recognized for their achievements. Bill Fleming, an Army veteran and attorney, will speak. The missing man formation ceremony will be held honoring Jimmy Lawler and Lee Bation. The band will play the National Anthem while the flag is raised to full staff. Refreshments will follow at the legion.
• Back at the Montauk Green at sunset, Taps will be played as the flag is folded and a retirement of flags is conducted.

Video courtesy of Tim Sullivan.