Military members who gave their lives ‘know it was all worth it’

By Riley Snyder

Monday, May 27, 2013 | 6:23 p.m.

A somber mood filled the air in Palm Mortuary on Monday morning while American Legion Post 8 commander Rodney Carlone began reading a letter left by fallen Marine Sgt. William Stacey, who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012.

"If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change this world, then I know that it was all worth it," Stacey wrote in a letter to his family in case of his death.

That sentiment of sacrifice was embodied Monday at Palm Mortuary in North Las Vegas, where a room usually reserved for funerals was transformed into a conduit for politicians, singers and, most importantly, veterans to pay their respects and to celebrate Memorial Day.

Most of Nevada's congressional congregation spoke before an audience of about 60 to 70 people, remarking on several occasions on the importance of putting aside partisanship on such a day.

"Regardless of what the media tells you, we actually like each other," Sen. Dean Heller said.

Heller said he was happy to announce no overseas deaths for Nevadans since last Memorial Day, but he did speak about the seven Marines who were killed in March in a mortar accident in Hawthorne.

Joining Heller were Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus, as well as Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. A representative from Sen. Harry Reid's office read a message in his place, as he was attending a Memorial Day event in Fernley.

Titus, who represents Nevada's 1st District, said she was proud to serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"Just as the military pledges to leave no one behind, let our government pledge to not leave any veteran behind," she said.

But the day wasn't about speeches from politicians, choral arrangements or anything else. It's a day of remembrance, said Ashley Hinckley, 25.

Hinckley and her husband, Scott, said they attended the event because it's an important tradition in her family.

"My parents, when they were younger, took us to these services to show us how important they are," she said. "You always want to remember."

Also attending was Jerry Bergeron, 90, who moved to Las Vegas 20 years ago and said she's attended many of the mortuary's services, which have been held for 48 years. She said Memorial Day is important to her because of her family connection.

"My grandson is in the Army, my daughter was in the Air Force, my husband served in World War II and my father served in World War I," Bergeron said. "It just brings back a lot of memories."