FORT SILL, Okla. -- "Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance, a day to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our nation," said Michael Simmons, Fort Sill operations specialist.

Simmons spoke while addressing a gathering for Fort Sill's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Frontier Chapel, May 30.

Ray Jolin, chaplain of VFW Post 5263 read the original order establishing Decoration Day, authorized by Maj. Gen. John Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, May 5, 1868.

"The 30th day of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late Rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land," read Jolin.

Simmons said, "During the first celebrations of Decoration Day, more than 5,000 participants helped decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers."

The wreath of red, white and blue flowers was brought in by Sgt. 1st Class Albert Sinclair III, of the 30th Air Defense Artillery, and was placed on the altar by Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, VFW Post 5263 commander Jim Meeks, and Cameron University ROTC cadet Robert McCoy.

Staff Sgt. Robert Fortune of the 77th Army Band "Costello's Own" bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" at the rear of the church.

A single flower of each color was brought forward and placed on the wreath. Guila Shields, president of the VFW Ladies Auxillary, placed a red flower as a tribute of "devotion, everlasting remembrance, and in memory of the heroic dead who have fallen in defense of our country," said Simmons.

Coral Porch, state surgeon for the Oklahoma State VFW, placed the white flower, a symbol of purity.

"Each future generation may emulate the unselfish courage of all Americans who fought for our freedom," said Simmons.

The blue flower, a symbol of eternity, was placed by Dale Scott, senior vice-commander, VFW Post 5263. The wreath was blessed by VFW Chaplain Ray Jolin. Staff Sgt. James Liverman, 77th Army Band, stood in an alcove off the altar and played "Taps" on the bugle.

"Millions of men and women selflessly answered the call of this nation in need," said Meeks, speaking as a representative of past generations of military leaders. Meeks gave tribute to those who "paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting a home to which they never returned." He said the sacred burial grounds of Arlington, Normandy, Pearl Harbor and Manila were a "somber testament to the high price of achieving and maintaining freedom around the globe.

"Today with heavy hearts we recall those lost," said Meeks. "They had names. They had families. It remains our charge to never let America forget the sacrifices of so many."

Rossi spoke as a representative of the current generation of leaders, and he asked the widows of fallen military members to stand.

"We're humbled by your sacrifice and inspired by your resilience, and thankful for your continued service to your communities and across America," he told them.

Rossi said the fallen have "intimate personal histories ... Their stories are too often painful, but still need to be told."

He spoke of African-American Cpl. Freddie Stowers who was "raised in the Jim Crow South and barely literate." Stowers was drafted into the Army during WWI. It took 73 years, but he was finally awarded the Medal of Honor.

He told of U.S. Army Captain Kimberly Hampton, an athlete from South Carolina who dreamed of flying helicopters.

"'The United States needs good solid troops in the hot spots. That's where I want to be,' she said." She became an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilot and led her platoon to Iraq in September 2003. On Jan. 2, 2004 she was shot down and killed while flying in support of troops during the Battle of Fallujah, said Rossi. She was the military's first female pilot killed in combat operation.

"Memorial Day is a day of solemn mourning, but it is also a day of reverent celebration," said Rossi, "of men and women who gave all so that we might continue to enjoy the freedom and benefits of this great nation."

McCoy spoke as a representative of the future generation of military leaders. He hopes to commission in 2017 as an active duty Army officer.

"The legacy that our fallen left us is the living example of their character, courageousness, and esprit de corps that they lived daily," he said. "The fact that our servicemen and women died does not make them heroes. It is easy to die. Everyone will do it at some point. The fact that these servicemen and women died for what they believed in, they died for something bigger than themselves, and they said they were willing to lay down their life for the betterment of our nation as a whole, is their heroic act."

The invocation and benediction were given by installation chaplain Chap. (Col.) John Morris.