Salinans gathered Monday to remember, and honor, those who have died so that we might all be free. Following brief cemetery services, events culminated with a large gathering at the Saline County War Memorial in Sunset Park.

Salina Mayor Aaron Householter spoke.

Householter spoke about his uncle Terry Householter, who was killed in action in Vietnam on June 23rd, 1969, just 29 days before his tour was scheduled to end and he would head home.

Terry Householter was a state champion runner at Concordia High School, and was attending Fort Hays State University on a track scholarship. He took a break from college and enlisted in the Marines.

“I never got to know uncle Terry”, the mayor said. He added “I often wonder what kind of life he might have had”.

The mayor encouraged everyone to make Memorial Day, and Memorial Day Weekend, more than just a “Memorial Day sale or an extended weekend at the lake”. We need to remember those people who died for our freedom he said. And he added that a good way to demostrated this is “how we live our lives everyday”.

The ceremony Monday included prayer, a moment of silence, a 21 gun salute, “Taps” played on a trumpet and “Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes.