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Annual dedication ceremony for Memorial Day at Gowen Field

Posted at 4:32 PM, May 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-22 19:17:59-04

BOISE — "Memorial Day weekend is that one time a year where we get to honor those that served our nation and have passed away since," said staff sergeant Michael Robinett with the 25th Army Band.

The annual memorial day dedication ceremony at Gowen Field drew in a crowd of service members, each with their own personal reason for attending.

"I'm with the 25th Army Band here in Boise," said Robinett, "I don't remember how many bricks our unit has out here, but we have more than 1 for soldiers that have served in the 25th Army Band."

Others involved in the ceremony say the holiday hits close to home.

"I'm third generation military family," said retired army colonel Rick Johnson, "Memorial Day I think became more important, a year ago October I had the opportunity to visit Normandy. Looking at nearly 10,000 crosses of Americans who gave their lives in the early part of June, July, August in 1944."

Joining the Idaho National Guard Color Guard, the Idaho Military Musem, and the 25th Army Band, veterans also came from the Idaho State Veterans Home Boise.

"There's such a small percentage of men and women that serve in the armed forces, that it can be easy to forget the sacrifices that are made in this all volunteer-force, so the message I want to portray is many sacrifices are made, even right now as we don't really realize," said command chief master sergeant Sidney Brown.

Some in the crowd are technically retired, but they're showing support today and every day for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

"Even after you're retired you never really get out of the military," Said Johnson.