Retired Marine Corps Major Roger U. Chaput believes Memorial Day has lost its true significance over the years.
Chaput is coordinating a Memorial Day observance on Monday at G.G. Sweet Veterans Memorial Park in Pahrump in honor of the men and women who lost their lives while in combat.
Chaput said many people just look at Memorial Day as the unofficial start to summertime. The G.G. Sweet Veterans Memorial Park is located at 1081 Gamebird Road. Monday’s ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
“Memorial Day is not about backyard barbecues and celebrating the upcoming summer season,” he said. “It’s about remembering and Pahrump has always been good in that respect. We’ve conducted services at the park since the year 2000 and we’ve had a very good turnout every year since then.”
Chaput hopes for a large presence at Monday’s ceremony, where he will introduce a combat veteran who served during the 2003 Iraq war.
“Major Tim Callahan was at the Pentagon when the 9/11 attacks occurred and then in 2003, he went into Iraq with the Marines and he had about 3-or-4 more tours after that and finally retired from the Marine Corps in 2009,” Chaput said.
Following the ceremony, Chaput said attendees can tour the site which was once the home of a decorated World War II and Korean War veteran.
“The park itself is open but the museum is by appointment for those who would like to visit,” he said. “In the park itself, we have the big American flag and a few years back, we put up a flagpole for each of the armed services and in addition, one for the POWs.” We also have quite a weapons display and we keep those locked in the safe obviously.”
Chaput also spoke about Sweet’s military career following his enlistment more than 70 years ago.
He noted that Sweet was a bonafide, decorated war hero who was wounded more than once during his service.
“G.G. Sweet was en route to Iwo Jima when a kamikaze pilot crashed into their ship and killed several sailors and Marines,” he said. “He earned a second Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal while serving in Korea. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1938 and retired in 1958.”
Chaput also said veterans of the Vietnam era will receive special recognition for their efforts during the war.
“It has been 50 years since 1965 when the first group of Marines landed at just outside of Da Nang,” he said. “We will have a welcome home to all veterans of the Vietnam War.”
Chaput said due to Sweet’s surname, he will try to keep the service brief this year.
“I used to always say to the folks in attendance that we’re going to keep the ceremony ‘short and sweet.’ “We try to get it down to 30 minutes but it’s usually about 45 minutes and of course we provide a brunch after the service.”
Chaput noted that many residents have visited the park every Memorial Day since 2000, and hopes people will continue to visit unlike last year.
“Unfortunately last year we did not have a Memorial Day service,” he said. “We originally set something up with the Marine Corps League but they were not able to do it. We’re glad to be back in the saddle this year and looking forward to the great folks from Pahrump to visit.”
The Pahrump Senior Center is also holding their annual Memorial Day and flag retirement service beginning at 10:45 today. The program will include a speech from U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy.
The center is located at 1370 W. Basin Avenue.