By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
On any given day, any number of American soldiers, serving under each branch of military stand at the front lines of battles for the freedom and liberty of their country.
But throughout the country Monday those soldiers were at the forefront of many Americans thoughts, prayers and memories.
Across the nation ceremonies were held to remember those soldiers who had fought in wars past and those men and women currently serving overseas, based in countries around the world and fighting in offensive operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama made the traditional walk to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns during the Memorial Day ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. and parades took place throughout Michiana in Buchanan, Cassopolis and Niles.
And in cities and towns across the nation and around the world, many would remember those who are still fighting and those whose deaths still leave an emptiness in the hearts of loved ones.
During a ceremony held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Cass County Commissioner John Rodebush noted the sacrifice felt by so many families when he said that 11 of Michigan's servicemen and women had lost their lives since members of the Niles community last gathered on the green lawn of the cemetery to mark Memorial Day last year.
In a statement released by Congressman Fred Upton, he personified such sentiments when mentioning the recent loss of one of southwest Michigan's own.
"Each year we come together as a nation the last Monday of May to reflect and pay tribute to those men and women from generations passed who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy," Upton said. "Freedom does not come without a price, and as a community, we are all too familiar with the loss associated with defending liberty.
"This Memorial Day, we cannot escape a profound sadness with the recent loss of southwest Michigan's Major Mathew Houseal. He was one of our own, following a selfless path that led him to the front lines in Iraq. We are all grateful for the Major Houseals of our community, and with overwhelming sadness and grief, we say thank you."
The community is waiting on several of their own servicemen and women to return home, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and friends.
One of those currently serving in Iraq is 1st Lt. Ken Kunze, a graduate of Niles High School, Kunze made the decision to join the Marine Corps before taking the walk down across the stage to pick up his diploma in 1999.
According to a fellow serviceman, he enlisted as a heavy equipment mechanic and served with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Engineer Support Company in Battle Creek.
In 2003, Kunze deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom One.
Returning from the Middle East, Kunze went on to complete his Bachelors Degree at Bethel College and went on to Officer Candidate School in Quantico Va. There, Kunze was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps and the Niles graduate went on to report to the Basic School, also in Quantico.
There, Kunze was selected to be a public affairs officer and now, handles a variety of matters including bringing heavyweight actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller to Camp Pendleton Calif. in 2008, where soldiers were treated to a special screening of their film "Tropic Thunder."
Kunze was stationed at Camp Pendleton as part of the 1st Marine Logistics Group.
He has been deployed to Iraq once again, reportedly acting as an intelligence advisor. He is halfway through a 12-month tour.
"We must all remember that for every monument we see, for every flag on a grave, that there is a story to tell," Upton said. "A human face to a life once vibrant. From generation to generation – they were a father and mother, sister and brother, son and daughter. They were our neighbors and classmates, our friends and colleagues, and when the nation needed them, they answered the call."