Though there are no sufficient words of comfort to give to families who’ve lost a loved one in the line of duty, we must always celebrate the soldiers who have gone before for who they were and how they lived their lives, said 1st Lt. Randolph James Belden of the Special Troops Battalion, 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard during a special Memorial Day ceremony Monday.

Belden, who currently lives in Burnsville and who served in Afghanistan with Albert Lea’s Delta Company, 2nd Battalion of the 135th Infantry of the Minnesota National Guard, said he was humbled to speak at the event on Memorial Day — a day he says is “unlike any other.”

Several hundred area residents gathered at Graceland Cemetery to hear his message and others of honor and respect for those who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms of this country.

The ceremony included musical selections by the Careyaires men’s vocal group and the Albert Lea High School Band; volley fire by the American Legion Post 56 Honor Guard; the playing of “Taps” by Legion Post 56 bugler Ed Nelson; and the Placing of the Wreaths by representatives of Albert Lea veterans organizations, a representative of the Minnesota National Guard and Gold Star parents Don and Deb Goodnature.

Since the 1860s, people across the country have come together on the last Monday in May in the communities they live to remember those who have gone before them and to pay respects to them with flowers on their graves, Belden said.

“Thousands of American flags are proudly waving for those who are and have fought,” he said.

He commented on the current Iraq War, a war whose victory, unfortunately, does not come without a cost. He said like many previous wars before, we are seeing this country’s sons and daughters coming home in flag-draped coffins.

“Now, more than ever, we know what it means to recognize those who fight for this country,” he said.

While we must look to those who have gone on before, we must also look to our still-living veterans for guidance. We must honor them and their comrades because their accomplishments are astonishing, Belden said. They teach of sacrifice and hard work.

“And they have taught us what it means to be a citizen of the United States,” Belden said.

On behalf of the 13,000 men and women in the Minnesota National Guard, he said he is proud to wear his uniform, which represents the protection of the freedom of this country.

Incoming American Legion Post 56 Commander Dave Mullenbach, who begins in his position July 1, said Memorial Day makes him reflect on the freedoms he’s had during his life and for the lives of those who have gone before to protect those freedoms.

“The United States is a great place to live,” Mullenbach said. “But it’s sad to know that people have to die for our freedoms.”