People view the graves of U.S. military members in the Antietam National Cemetery on Monday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Monday morning, Memorial Day was celebrated at various locations throughout the region. Although no major celebration was held in Shepherdstown, various celebrations were held only a short drive away, both in Bolivar and Sharpsburg, Md.

Sharpsburg’s commemoration of Memorial Day may have drawn the most attention, as it began with its 157th Memorial Day Commemoration ceremony and parade in the town square on Saturday, followed by a ceremony at Antietam National Cemetery on Monday.

“My fellow Americans, thank you for coming out today to recognize those behind you — to recognize the fallen, as we honor the fallen,” said retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule. “America does honor the fallen — that’s what Memorial Day is all about — recognizing those who, in President Abraham Lincoln’s words, ‘Gave the last full measure of devotion to the nation.’

“It’s a meaningful day to me, personally, as well,” Seidule, who taught history at the United States Military Academy, said. “I never lost a soldier in combat, but I did teach 12 cadets who now lie in eternal rest in the West Point cemetery, later killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. I visit them often, and I remember — I remember them, I remember their sacrifice, I remember their families.

“We have come so far in how we treat, how we honor our fallen,” Seidule said, noting no other country goes to greater lengths than the United States, to honor its fallen. “We, as a nation, changed to recognize the eternal debt we owe the fallen and their families.”

Antietam National Battlefield Chief of Resource Education and Visitor Services Keith Snyder speaks, during the laying of a wreath in Antietam National Cemetery on Monday. Tabitha Johnston

Along with Seidule’s speech, remarks on the importance of the day were given by Antietam National Battlefield Chief of Resource Education and Visitor Services Keith Snyder.

“How we treat the fallen, how we treat the families of the fallen, tells a lot about how you should judge your military, how you should judge your politicians and how we should judge ourselves,” Snyder said. “America promises to leave no soldier, sailor or Marine unaccounted for, and we are scouring the globe to bring everyone home. It’s never too late to do the right thing. America promises that no service’s widow, widower or children are financially destitute. So, what is left for us?

“Out of the millions who sacrificed their lives for us, just think of the one — one soldier or one sailor or one airman or one Marine who died in uniform. Think about a promising life cut short. I now have grandchildren, but they will never have grandchildren. Think about his or her parents, spouse, children, relatives, friends and fellow service members. Think about the trauma, the void left behind, because that uniformed person died,” Snyder said. “That is what Memorial Day means to me. So please, today, remember to remember.”

Snyder noted that, in preparation for the ceremony, 5,000 American flags were placed at each of the cemetery’s graves by the teachers and fifth grade students of Sharpsburg Elementary School.

The invocation and benediction were given by Reverend John Schildt. Musical selections were performed throughout the ceremony by Hagerstown Choral Arts. A cannon was fired by the Antietam Living History Volunteers at the beginning and end of the ceremony.

Reenactors prepare to fire a cannon, to kick off the Memorial Day ceremony at Antietam National Cemetery on Monday. Tabitha Johnston

A procession of those in attendance, led by Bob Murphy on the drums, made its way to the Private Soldier Monument, where a memorial wreath was laid, followed by the raising of the flag by the Antietam Park Rangers and the playing of the taps by representatives from the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard.