HARRISBURG -- After initially canceling its planned Memorial Day ceremony, Harrisburg hosted a scaled down ceremony to honor veterans.
Harrisburg Mayor John McPeek said he felt that the city could safely have the ceremony with proper precautions in place.
"We asked those attending to follow social distancing guidelines," he said. "While we all have to be careful, we also feel like it's important to remember our veterans, especially the 242 men from Saline County who died fighting for their country and are memorialized here."
At the ceremony, the city announced the memorial will be named for Harrisburg Korean War veteran Don Cooper. Cooper began enhancing the veterans memorial area, which dates back to 1931, originally as a memorial for Saline County veterans killed in World War I. Cooper, with the help of then-city councilwoman Vicki Mason, had statues depicting U.S. soldiers installed at the memorial area.
In the last six months, the city has worked to replace the memorial crosses with weatherproof versions.
State Sen. Dale Fowler was the keynote speaker at the event. Fowler said it was important to remember the sacrifices of men and women serving in the U.S. armed services.
"We are forever indebted to their service," Fowler said in his remarks. "Today is not about war and conflict. Today is about bravery ... freedom ... and sacrifice. The history of the United States is clear. For us, we do not seek out conflict. Rather, it has been thrust upon us. Our battles have raged at home and around the world. In every war. we have had men and women fall in service for their nation."
Cooper spoke later, pausing as he became emotional remembering a horrible incident during his time in Korea. He and others were being trained in the use of a flamethrower when it malfunctioned, spraying the soldiers in the room with fuel before igniting. The building also was in a munitions depot, and Cooper was among survivors who got out before it exploded.
"Eighteen of our men were burned alive," Cooper said, wiping back tears. "It was horrible."
Cooper said he wanted to continue to honor fallen U.S. service members, especially those from Saline County.
"Thank you God, for these men, who gave their lives for us," Cooper said. "I love them all."
