By Paula Scott

2023 Memorial Day celebrations in Bluffton took place on a day of vivid blue skies and steady breezes, punctuated by the military sounds of a jet flyover and rifle salute. A native of Bluffton and 1970 graduate of Bluffton High School, retired Colonel Larry Ruggley returned to the village to provide the Memorial Day address.

Bluffton American Legion Post 382 led the community in the parade from Bluffton Town Hall, along the American flag-lined Main Street, and down Grove St. to Maple Grove Cemetery. A Legion color guard headed the parade including a convoy of Legion members on golf carts, the Bluffton High School marching band, Bluffton Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Mayor Richard Johnson and Mrs. Ruth Johnson, and Bluffton Police and EMS.

People gathered, some gravitating to the shady protection of the mature trees in the cemetery, surrounding the monument to Bluffton’s military service men and women, which reads “Dedicated to those who served, who serve, and who will serve for God and Country.” Recently, Legion members decorated veterans’ graves in Maple Grove with 501 American flags. A total of 767 flags were placed by Legion members in nine cemeteries in Richland Township.

The event honored and remembered those who died while serving in the U.S. military, with special note of those whose remains were never recovered. An empty chair was placed on one side of the monument in memory of those missing in action. On the right, a cross with a helmet, boots and U.S. flag demonstrated how the loss of a soldier is commemorated in the field.

Legion Commander Jerry Cupples welcomed attendees to the ceremonies and Chaplain Gary Dipnarine led them in prayer. Speaking on behalf of his comrades, Cupples said, “We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to the country…. May the ceremonies of today deepen your reverence for our departed friends and comrades.” The sergeant at arms placed and saluted a wreath at the memorial platform.

Colonel Ruggley spoke of his son, Corporal Brian Ruggley, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Afghanistan and suffered the loss of 22 fellow Marines in his battalion. “Your actions, our actions here today are a small measure not to repay the debt, but to remember that we will always be indebted to their sacrifice.”

Ruggley spoke with emotion of the day he told his mother that he was enlisting in the Army. He went on to serve 31 years, including as a Special Forces officer and as a Green Beret. “Like many of you that served, we carry a certain amount of guilt as we are left behind to mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters in arms, questioning the logic that God has chosen us to remain,” he said. Ruggley called this “a debt that we cannot begin to repay. We can only remember.” Referring to armed conflicts from “Valley Forge to Afghanistan,” he said, “I am supremely confident … that other people” like those honored on Memorial Day “will step into the gap.”

At that moment, two F-16 fighter jets from the Toledo Air National Guard flew over the cemetery. Later in the ceremonies, Cupples thanked Legion member Bob Amstutz for arranging this feature.

Ruggley resumed, “Everyone in this audience has had their life affected by generations upon generations of Americans laying their life on the line. Theirs is a life that ended, a life cut short of realizing many of their dreams.” The retired general also noted the pain of losing a service member who ended their life in suicide; he noted that some 24 per day are reported. “We all need to do our part to stem this tide, either emotionally, spiritually or financially.”

Chaplain Dipnarine read the names of 22 area veterans who passed away during the last year with a bell sounding at each name. These veterans served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and peacetime.

During the ceremony, the Bluffton High School band under the direction of David Sycks, played the National Anthem, It’s a Grand Old Flag and Taps.