Fulton County Ohio Media

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The Village of Swanton observed Memorial Day this morning with a parade and a ceremony organized by the Murbach-Seifert Post #479 of the American Legion in Swanton.  Ohio State Representative James M. Hoops of District 81 was the featured speaker.  Before Mr. Hoops spoke, Swanton Legion Commander John Schmidt addressed the crowd which had gathered at the end of the parade route, in Memorial Park in front of the Doughboy Statue.  Below are some experts from Commander Schmidt’s speech:

Today, we honor the more than one million men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution.  As proud Americans, we should all remember that our freedom is not free.  It is only possible because heroes, some from our own families or neighborhoods, have paid the highest price.  It’s that price which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country.

In the American Legion Preamble, we pledge to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.  We do this not to pat ourselves on the back or impress people with stories of our own military service.  We know what we did.  But we are also witnesses.  Veterans have seen heroism in its purest form.  Veterans served alongside the very men and women that we remember today.

One such witness was Lou Conter.  On April 1^st, 2024, Lou passed away at the age of 102.  He was the last survivor of the USS Arizona.  During Pearl Harbor observances in 2020, Lou said to the American Legion, “We’re not the heroes.  The 1,177 who went down with the ship are the heroes.  You have to remember we got to go home, get married, have children and grandchildren, and we lived a good life.  Those who didn’t get to do that should be call the heroes.”

Lou’s sentiment was undoubtedly influenced by his own humility, for he did serve heroically throughout his 26-year Navy career.  But his larger point must also be remembered.  We are able to raise families, continue careers and live good lives because of the sacrifices made by young men and women who never came home.

We must always remember them.  May they all rest in peace.  Thank you for being here.  God Bless Us All.  And God Bless these United States of America.

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