Memorial Day Brings Reverence, Reflection

Veterans in Ballwin and Ellisville shared moments of silence and time in the sun on Monday as city officials presented Memorial Day honors before crowds at Bluebird and Vlasis parks.

“It’s good to see more kids out here,” said Dominick Delia, a veteran who served in the Persian Gulf and a member of Ballwin VFW Post 6274, whose Honor Guard presented the colors at both cities' ceremonies.

The Ballwin ceremony, which took place at Peace Memorial on Park Drive, began with an entrance by the Honor Guard Post 6274. The ceremony featured an opening prayer by Master Sgt. Leonard White and a tribute by Bill Bantel, commander of the Honor Guard.

The mood was solemn as Bantel reminded the attendees of the longstanding tribute all fallen service members deserve.

“Their names will never disappear--not because they are etched in stone, but because we as a community, as a country, will never let them be forgotten,” Bantel said in his speech.

In a speech earlier that morning, Ellisville Mayor Matt Pirrello, too, said embracing veterans' ultimate sacrifice is the corp of Monday's holiday.

“They fought gallantly, they fought with honor, they gave their lives for each and every one of us,” Pirrello said. “I can only pay them tribute. Today, there is only silence. For this day is theirs, even if only for a moment.”

For Des Peres resident Gina Kerls, the ceremony in Ballwin was a reminder of her friends and family who have served.

“We just wanted to honor the vets,” Kerls, who lost two uncles to war, said through tears. 

Bob Kerls, Gina’s husband, also was at Vlasis Park on Monday, in part to honor the service of an uncle and cousin who serve in the armed forces, he said.

The presence of the Kerls and the other families at the ceremony did not go unappreciated by the many veterans there. Master Sgt. Leonard White, who led an opening prayer and a tribute in the ceremony, seemed pleased with the turnout.

“You know, I appreciate any community that would take the time to appreciate the sacrifices given for this country. I salute that,” White said.

Although a Memorial Day ceremony, such as the one at Vlasis Park serves as a reminder of the soldiers who gave their lives for their country, Bantel, commander of the honor guard, noted the holiday is ultimately not a reminder, but a tribute.

“I suppose if no one showed up, we’d still be here,” he said.

Editor Chase Castle contributed to this report.