'Gone, not forgotten'

Lest people forget the sacrifice her husband made dying in Afghanistan four years ago, Shakeli Sims and her family wore T-shirts inscribed with his name and the date he was killed.

She and her family helped lay a wreath Monday during a Memorial Day service at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to honor servicemen and women who died in wars for their country.

“Man does not die until he is forgotten,” read their red T-shirts in black print.

About 700 people attended the annual event at 2601 E. Fort King St.

Sims had been to the memorial service at the park once before as a high school student when her teacher brought her class to the event.

“I never thought for a million years I’d be coming here now for this reason,” she said, talking about her husband’s death.

Her husband, U.S. Army Spc. Markie Sims, died when an improvised explosive device detonated under his truck Dec. 29, 2012. She was 6 months pregnant when he died.

“We come every Memorial Day and Veterans Day,” she said, her arm around her son, Kayden’s, shoulders.

“People who lost their lives for their country should never be forgotten,” she said. “That would be a dishonor.”

In the center of the park’s field, organizers of the event sunk eight, white crosses and U.S. flags in a row. In the middle, was a 1908 Springfield rifle with its barrel sunk into the ground, a pair of black military boots by the barrel and a helmet resting on the butt of the rifle.

More than 650,000 American men and women have died in combat.

Frank Rasbury thinks that unless such important ceremonies are held, people will forget the sacrifices soldiers made for their country. Rasbury, 89, is a retired Army lieutenant colonel having served from 1951-1971.

“If we don’t do this, there wouldn’t be anyone to do it,” he said.

Because the U.S. military is staffed by only volunteers, too much of the country lacks a direct link to the military, he said. And that’s led to schools not putting enough focus on military history, which now allows for even more people not knowing about how soldiers have sacrificed, he said.

“So every year I put on my uniform at church to remind people that freedom is not free,” he said.

“So we’re going to continue doing what we’re doing,” said the Ocala man, looking around as people arrived at the event. “Memorial Day is when we solute the real heroes.”

Norris Ritter, 83, spent 24 years in the military, both in the Air Force and Army.

The Memorial Day service is the only way to show that while soldiers died, the memory of them was not left on the battlefield, Ritter said.

“Nobody left behind,” said the retired Army chief warrant officer. “They might be gone, but they’re not forgotten.”

“We’ve all lost friends in wars, but this is a way to show respect,” he said.

Edwin Barbosa, 33, served 14 years in the Army and is now in the Army Reserve. He is a Harley-Davidson mechanic. He served in Iraq in 2007 and 2008.

“I don’t need one day to remember friends I’ve lost in combat,” said the Leesburg man. “(But) we only ask one day to honor those who have fallen.”

“I’d like to think that if I was on the other side they would meet to remember (me).” he said.

Many who came to the Memorial Day service were seniors.

Barbosa said many young people have no interest in the sacrifices previous generations have made.

They would prefer to listen to music and indulge in other leisure activities, he said.

“There’s no sense of discipline and respect,” he said. “The older generation understood that, but they’re dying out.”

During the 90-minute ceremony, the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band played patriotic music.

One of the dignitaries at the ceremony was Marion County Commissioner Carl Zalak.

He said that after 20 years since the park was built it still serves to honor those Americans who died defending this country.

“We will keep alive the memory of those who died for freedom,” he said.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn also was present.

“Today is the day to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he told the crowd.

The keynote speaker was retired Air Force Col. John Clark.

Much of the sacrifice that U.S. soldiers made, and now remembered, revolved around duty, honor, country, Clark said, referencing Gen. Douglas MacArthur's “Duty, Honor, Country” address at West Point Military Academy in 1962.

People and politicians may debate social issues now challenging this country, but “these problems are not for soldiers to solve, but rather … duty, honor, country.”

And the most valuable thing we all can do for those fallen soldiers is to spend the time remembering them and carrying their stories forward, he said.

“By being here today, you are recommitting … to never forget,” he said, “so that others may live to dwell in peace, happiness and freedom. That is the legacy of all who gave (their) lives.”

— Contact Fred Hiers at fred.hiers@starbanner.com or 352-397-5914.