Lake County Parks honors fallen heroes at annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Stoney Run County Park

Community members gathered at Stoney Run County Park on Memorial Day for the annual service hosted there by the Lake County Parks & Recreation Department. This event honored the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to our nation with moments of reflection at the park’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The solemn ceremony took place in front of that memorial, which bears the names of 261 young men from Lake County who died in the Vietnam War. The program featured a number of guest speakers including U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan, Operation Charlie Bravo Founder Jason Zaideman, and Len Sherwinski of Honor Flight Chicago. The Indiana Fallen Heroes project had its display out, honoring the many Indiana veterans who’ve lost their lives since the 9/11 tragedy.  It also included musical selections by Hobart High School’s Wolffgang Choir.

“We’ve been doing this for over 50 years in some form or another, and the reason we’re here is to honor the names on that wall – and everyone else who died in service of their country,” said Jim Basala, CEO at Lake County Parks. “For those individuals, it wasn’t always a beautiful day like today - but they did their duty, and they gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

After Basala’s opening remarks another member of the Parks staff, Veteran Marine and Bishop James Lewis, delivered an invocation.

“Today, we lift up our veterans, those guardians of peace,” Lewis said. “Our hearts are in powerful gratitude and deep appreciation for all servicemen and women, past, present, and those who have sacrificed their own comfort for your safety. May we never take for granted the peace their service has bestowed upon us, nor the freedom it secures.”

Mrvan, a regular at the ceremony, followed Lewis’ invocation. He shared a personal story of his father’s experience witnessing families in East Chicago receiving telegrams bearing news that they lost someone in World War II.

“As an adult who grew up with that, I always remember how important it is that we live in the greatest country in the world because of our freedoms,” Mrvan said. “The freedom of press, freedom of religion, and the freedom to choose what you want to do for a living. People will sacrifice their lives and limbs in order for us to be the greatest country in the world. God bless America, and may we all go forward remembering those who made the greatest sacrifice.”

Zaideman spoke next, addressing the challenges faced by veterans and the importance of commemorating the fallen.

“We became products of our environment, learned a new language and way of life, and have a love for each other that may be difficult for others to completely understand,” he said. “Remembering those lives lost is not an easy task. We were changed forever and expected to go back to a life we no longer recognized, this has been difficult for all veterans since the beginning of time.”

He announced that Operation Charlie Bravo is working with Lake County Parks to add a new experience to Stoney Run County Park called Trail of Hope. Plans are still being finalized, but the current expectation is that it will add new messaging around the park that would encourage reflection and healing.

After every guest speaker said their piece, a pair of Gold Star Families performed a wreath presentation, paying tribute to those who gave their lives. Chris Landgrave, chief operating officer of Lake County Parks, then delivered closing remarks.

“For the last 45 minutes we’ve honored the brave men and women who gave their lives in service of this country, individuals who answered the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold dear,” he said. “It hardly seems like enough. As we depart, let us go forward not only with heavy hearts – but with inspired ones. Renew our dedication to serve our communities, to support our veterans and military families, and uphold our values that so many have died to defend.”

To learn more about the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department, please visit lakecountyparks.com.