Camp Butler National Cemetery, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Perfect weather greeted a somber occasion Monday for Memorial Day ceremonies at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

“This year carries special significance, as the national cemeteries across our country join in celebrating our 250-th birthday of America,” said the city of Springfield’s chief of staff, Billy Fleischli, substituting for Mayor Misty Buscher. “As we commemorate this milestone, we are reminded that America’s story was not written only by historic documents or famous leaders; it was written by ordinary people who chose extraordinary service.”

Documenting that service has been the job of students of now-retired Le Roy High School teacher Brad Marcy (pictured, left), a veteran who was also on the program. “In researching and chronicling the lives of these veterans, they were ensuring that they don’t allow their legacies to fall into obscurity,” said Marcy. “And, as every lesson should, this lesson requires students to think inwardly and reflect on their own legacies. What is the legacy you hope to leave? How do you want to be remembered? Wh0 d0 you want to be remembered as being? And get to work on crafting that legacy now, in your deeds and actions.”

Cemetery director Christopher Webster sums it up: “Every day is Memorial Day at Camp Butler.”