Retired Marine says Memorial Day a time for reverence

Perry County Middle School Principal Milton Wick’s involvement with the U.S. Marine Corps spans 21 years. He served as an infantry officer and split time between active duty and the reserves. Wick is this year’s featured speaker at the Missouri National Veterans Memorial event Monday, May 31.
While his connection to the military may be more personal than others, he wants everyone to recognize the importance of those who paid the ultimate price - sacrificing their lives for the freedom of others.
“The big message is that Vietnam Wall that sits out there, almost 40,000 of the names out there were 19 years or younger,” Wick said. “They sacrificed for all of us to live free in a democracy and when they took their oath and swore to defend the constitution, they were doing that at the risk of their life and they gave their lives and laid down their lives for us. Memorial Day is a day of reverence to respect their decision and the tradeoffs they made so that we can live free.”
Wick commanded a battalion in Iraq in 2004 and was either on the operations or command side. In addition to infantry experience, he contributed on reconnaissance and anti-terrorism roles, and spent a year as an advisor in Saudi Arabia.
He was a part of the 23rd and 24th Marines reserves, serving as a commanding officer or reserve officer, assisting with the war planning for the Marine Corps.
“It’s a day of reverence,” Wick said. “I’m third generation military within my family. Both of my grandparents served in Europe, one in World War I and another in World War II.”
He is part of the largest family in North Dakota in World War II.

“For me, it’s a time to reflect for those who have sacrificed,” Wick said. “Every conflict from 1775, those individuals they put their country and this nation in front of their lives and their livelihood. There are veterans who live out their life (after) having served. We have veterans day for us. Memorial Day is for those people who did not make it.”
The proper tone for Memorial Day isn’t a joyous one, according to Wick.
“There is no happy Memorial Day,” Wick said. “It’s a day of reverence and we take a moment’s pause to recognize those who gave all for us.”
His father joined the National Guard, and also spent time in the Marine Corps.
“There’s been a pattern of service in my family,” he said.
His great uncle, Meryl Duane Wick, was killed in Saipan in the Northern Marianas during World War II. Another relative died during the D-Day invasion.
“It might be a day for hot dogs and beer for everyone else, for me it’s a time to reflect on those who sacrificed,” Wick noted. “We’ll honor the deceased veterans with a ceremony. Hopefully we’ll pull it off and show appropriate reverence.”