Wilburn’s decades of military service weighed on him heavily as he spoke at Tupper Lake’s annual ceremony. He became emotional at times when paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of establishing, preserving and defending this nation’s freedom.

Wilburn walked the audience through the nation’s major conflicts, foreign and domestic. He began where it all started, the fields of Lexington and Concord. He reminded the crowd gathered at the Tupper Lake Veterans War Memorial of what long odds America — then, just the concept of a free nation — and the people willing to give their lives for her cause faced.

“What bravery it must have taken for a militia to stand against what was then considered the strongest army in the world,” he said.

Wilburn, in highlighting freedom’s cost, spoke to the casualty numbers of many of the wars America fought in. He emphasised that, especially in the earlier wars, the wartime casualties came not just on the battlefield, but often in far greater numbers from disease and infection that fell upon soldiers.

Tupper Lake Veterans’ Honor Guard Commander Mike Larabie looks on during the community’s Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park along Park Street. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

In describing the bloodiest battles and conflicts America fought in — the Civil War — Wilburn said the rate at which casualties occurred was hard to imagine.

“I’ve stood in the cornfields of Antietam — one of the bloodiest battles that’s ever been fought on American soil or that Americans have ever participated in,” he said. “The casualties came at the rate of one every 5 seconds.”

Wilburn has visited other Civil War battlefields over the years, and said its a somber experience standing on the ground where so many Americans gave their lives. He said it was important not to forget what they were fighting for.

“These people fought to keep our Union together,” he said. “They fought and died to keep our Union together. They were fighting for freedom.”

Beyond our borders, Wilburn remembered the freedom given to much of the world by the Americans who died in World War I and World War II. He also spoke to the sacrifice that comes with serving, and noted that it can sometimes that a toll that’s less obvious. That, he said, is just as important to recognize and honor.

Mike Russell lays a wreath on behalf of the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department alongside daughter Christina Russell during Tupper Lake’s Memorial Day Ceremony. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“For 50-some years, people were on duty 24/7,” he said. “Ready to go — to be in the air — to defend our country. There are those that served during the Cold War who suffered greatly from the stress that might have been. We’re grateful that they stood there, that they defended us.”

In total, Wilburn said about 1.2 million Americans have died in service of protecting this country’s freedom.

“Freedom is a gift from those who fought,” he said. “(They) paid the price in blood for the rest of us to enjoy the activities of the day. But remember those who gave so much for us. Remember them. Take time to do so. … May we never forget. May God bless you all. May God bless the U.S.A.”

Wilburn also gave the ceremony’s opening and closing prayers. Tupper Lake’s Memorial Day service also featured remarks from American Legion Post #220 Commander Mark Moeller, music from the Tupper Lake Middle-High School Band led by longtime TLCSD band director Laura Davison, wreath layings from a number of community groups and a rifle salute from the Tupper Lake Veterans’ Honor Guard.

American Legion Post #220 Commander Mark Moeller speaks during Tupper Lake’s Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park along Park Street. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Rev. Richard “Rick” Wilburn speaks during Tupper Lake’s Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park along Park Street. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Tupper Lake Middle-High School Band Director Laura Davison plays the piccolo during Tupper Lake’s Memorial Day Ceremony. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)