A solemn service about sacrifice was observed Sunday in Polk Township.

“It’s important to remember all that came before us and honor the ones that are no longer here,” said Connie Haydt, vice president of the Polk Township Veterans Commission. “They made a great sacrifice for all of us, and we are not going to forget.”

The service was held at the Polk Township Veterans Memorial in honor of Memorial Day and the 250th anniversary of the military. The late Blanche and Dick Strausberger donated the land for the memorial in honor of their son David Bartholomew, who was killed in Vietnam.

The couple’s great-grandchildren played military music during the ceremony: 16-year-old Hannah Strausberger on violin, 14-year-old Grace Strausberger on guitar and 14-year-old Joshua Strausberger on drums.

Girl Scouts Sofia Cuddy, 11, Gabby Cuddy, 16, and Leah Serfass, 16, started the ceremony by carrying in the flag. The Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem followed.

Abigail Borger, West End Fair Princess and president of Future Farmers of American at Pleasant Valley High School, introduced speakers.

Robert Coleman served as a combat medic in Vietnam, then transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Coleman quoted President John F. Kennedy: “We pray for peace, justice and understanding of all nations and ending of the wars and suffering, with freedom for all.”

Coleman added, “Over 1 million perished in 10 wars for our freedom we have today. The USA is the greatest nation because of our freedoms. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.”

Speaker and Marine Giovanni Villafuerte, said, “This is a good opportunity to honor veterans and help other people to recognize what the military does.”

George Moretz, U.S. Navy veteran, played taps, as he has done for the past six years.

“We like to honor veterans and those who passed away in our community,” noted Joan McKinsey, chair of the Polk Veterans Memorial.

Following a roll call, wreaths were placed at the memorial.