Following a rendition of the national anthem by Erin Likness and a prayer from the Rev. Carlyle Roth, Lt. Col. Joseph Langan, deputy commander of the 5th Maintenance Group at Minot Air Force Base, delivered the address.

Langan noted the day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation has been faithfully observed by Americans for 157 years, calling it, “a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of maintaining our republic.”

“Since the birth of our nation, over 1.3 million Americans have paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of freedom. A price that afforded us, the families, the sense of community and prosperity that we all know. A debt that can never be repaid in full,” Langan said.

Langan highlighted the deep connection Minot has had and continues to hold with the U.S. military, and the decades of change and loss that tragically walks hand in hand with those who serve.

Charles Crane/MDN Lt. Col. Joseph Langan, deputy commander of the 5th Maintenance Group at Minot Air Force Base, delivers the address at the Memorial Day program on Monday.

“Through it all, you have for decades welcomed those from all across the United States to become a part of this resilient and vibrant community,” Langan said. “Some of you here have served among the fallen, and carried their memory home from the front lines. Some of you have family who watched their sons, daughters and siblings travel to places far from the blue skies and green fields of North Dakota. Some of them did not return. But all of us here are commemorating heroes, most of whom we have never met, but owe our livelihoods to.”

Langan acknowledged a number of Minot veterans who perished on the battlefield, including Wilfred and Calvin Palmer, brothers killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor while serving on the USS Oklahoma; and Pvt. William Carroll who died from wounds received in action in France in World War I.

“They are only a small number of the thousands of men and women who represent the bravest and most selfless parts of Minot,” Langan said. “This community was born from oil and railroads, but it endures today because of its commitment to service and its overwhelming dedication to the American spirit.”

Langan said those gathered among the gravestones of more than 200 service members interred at Rosehill Memorial Park, and the countless other memorials around the nation, were there not just to remember them, but to speak directly to them.

“Your sacrifice is the very foundation of our freedom. Your courage echoes through our lives today, and in the lives of every fellow service member and veteran, and the face of every loved one who carries on your legacy,” Langan said. “Though your watch has ended, your example still calls us to live with purpose – cherishing each day in your memory.”

Charles Crane/MDN Millo and Carol Wallace with the American Legion Post 26 and Auxiliary after placing the wreath during the Memorial Day program on Monday.

Langan said as one of the many who served after Sept. 11, 2001, Memorial Day has a great deal of significance to him, due to taking part in a number of transfers of the remains of fallen service members.

“I remember the ceremonies vividly, because in the course of that deployment I participated in them 59 times. Each time I stood at attention on a parking ramp scorched by the Arabian sun, as the aluminum transfer cases all draped with immaculately folded star spangled banners, passed under the salutes of those who trod across a few acres of noisy concrete to pay our respects,” Langan said. “Each of those men and women wore a uniform. They all died for a cause, willingly embraced by millions of their comrades over the centuries. They all had people in their lives they cared about. They all had families. They all had parents.”

Langan said what set our nation apart was the steady stream of Americans willing to die for the idea that formed our nation.

“To all of you here today, as you leave and go about your day and your week, let the memory of the fallen serve to renew your commitment to our nation and the Minot community. Ask yourselves, ‘What must I do, to be worthy of their sacrifice?'” Langan said.