Korean War veteran George Busler was taken to his final resting place at the Hermiston Cemetery earlier this month. On Monday, his nephew, Kevin Busler, received an American flag in his honor during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Hermiston Cemetery.
“This is where all his family is,” said Kevin Busler after Monday’s ceremony. “He’s home with his family.”
Kevin Busler said several circumstances led to the 27-year delay in getting his uncle to the Hermiston Cemetery. In the years since his passing, his remains have been in the possession of various family members. Kevin has had them for the past six years.
After an American flag was presented to Kevin Busler, American Legion Post 37 Commander Aaron Wetterling gave George Busler one final salute.
“May you rest in peace and soar to the heavens,” he said.
Following the ceremony, Kevin Busler talked about what Monday’s ceremony means to him.
“It means he’s finally home,” he said. “It means he’s now where he belongs.”
Wetterling opened Monday’s ceremony by reminding those in attendance what Memorial Day is for and what it means.
“This is not Veterans Day,” he said. “It’s Memorial Day and we’ve come to remember those who died in service of their country.”
Wetterling thanked members of the Hermiston High School football team for helping to raise the nearly 500 flags that flew throughout the cemetery on Monday and the Stanfield High School Music Department for performing at the event.
Pastor Dean Hackett, the morning’s guest speaker, spoke of John Holcomb, who served in the Army during Vietnam.
After coming under enemy attack, Holcomb used a machine gun to fire into the enemy forcing them to retreat. Holcomb was seriously wounded in a second attack, but still managed to fight off the enemy and help his men to safety before succumbing to his wounds. He was given the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1971.
“Words are feeble and seem insufficient in honoring this brave soldier and others like him,” Hackett said.
Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday was first celebrated in 1866 and became known as Memorial Day in 1971.
“We come each year to honor those who gave their life so we could live in freedom,” Hackett said. “We honor those who paid so dear a price for our freedom. Our obligation is to make sure their great sacrifice is remembered and celebrated each year.”
