CEDAR CITY — It was a cold Thanksgiving day when Cedar City veteran Keith Robison was told he was going to be deployed to Ramadi, Iraq — but it was a breezy, sunny Monday morning at the Cedar City Cemetery where Robison shared in honor of Memorial Day his experiences serving our country and his deep love for America.
The Memorial Day Recognition service was led by the Iron County Veterans Coalition and featured a bagpipe and bugle performance of Taps, military firing salute, flag raising and a short speech given by Robison, who returned from his military service in Iraq 10 years ago.
The purpose of the service was to allow reflection and commemoration of the lives of fallen United States servicemen and women.
“Among us today, we have veterans from World War II to present day,” Darrin Duncan, who led the service, said. “We also have prisoners of war among us.”
Duncan, who served in Iraq in 2002 as an intelligence officer, said his hope is that the people of Cedar City would show their gratitude for the sacrifice and dedicated service provided by veterans.
“The rest of us are going to go home and enjoy the beautiful weather with our friends and families,” Robison said at the close of the service. “But there are many men and women that won’t have that opportunity. This is the day that we need to remember them and their sacrifice.”
The Iron County Veterans Coalition also invited veterans and their families to a free barbecue June 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the Cedar City Main Street Park.
Written by: Kaleigh Bronson, for St. George News
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An artillery lineup composed of community veterans, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Veterans, their families and community members reflecting on service to the United States by members of the armed forces, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News
Brothers and sisters in arms lining the path to the flag, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News
Brothers and sisters in arms lining the path to the flag, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News
Brothers and sisters in arms lining the path to the flag, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News
Cadets posting the flag of the United States and the POW-MIA flag above the ceremony, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Cadets posting the flag of the United States and the POW-MIA flag above the ceremony, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Veterans lining the walkway to the flag as they proudly salute, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Combat Veterans lining up for the firing salute, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Honored Veteran Keith Robison speaking at the Memorial Day Recognition Service about his time serving in Iraq, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Grand old flags proudly waving as veterans and community members commemorate Memorial Day, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Honored Veteran Keith Robison speaking at the Memorial Day Recognition Service about his time serving in Iraq, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News Veterans chatting about memories in service near the branch flags, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George New Family paying tribute to their veteran grandfather, Cedar City, Utah, May 30, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Bronson, St. George News 
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