ROCKPORT— Michael Silva, a Gloucester High School graduate of 1979, issued a challenge yesterday to veterans and their friends and family as he spoke at Rockport's Memorial Day service.

"Talk to the vets and get them to tell you their stories," the retired Army staff sergeant said, "because hundreds of World War II veterans die each month and their history goes with them.

"They don't see themselves as heroes. They see themselves as doing their job," he continued. "But ask them. They are humble. Get them to talk.

"And vets," he added, "I challenge you to put your experiences to paper because if we forget the past, we are bound to repeat our mistakes again."

The annual Rockport Memorial Day program again brought out hundreds of residents, as it does each year.

"It is these veterans who we remember that made the nation great," said Silva.

One of those veterans was the parade grand marshal, Cpl. George B. Witham, who was inducted into the Army in March 1941, after which he served overseas for 32 months. He was sent to Camp Edwards to be with 101st Ordnance Co., part of the 26th Yankee Division.

He landed at Casablanca, and, after a short stay in North Africa, he shipped out from Oran, Algiers, to Italy where he landed at Naples. From there, he worked his way up the west coast with stops at Anzio, Rome, and finally Lake Como. Witham has been living in Rockport with his wife, Mary, for 63 years, and they raised three children.

Master of ceremonies Brian Sullivan, a Persian Gulf veteran who left the Navy as lieutenant commander, introduced Silva, the guest speaker, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, before his family moved to Gloucester.

Silva attended The Citadel for three years. He joined the U.S. Army in 1984. His time included combat duty with the 1-14th Field Artillery Battalion to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His awards include Bronze Star, Meritous Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, two National Defense Service Ribbons. A father of four children, he retired in 2004.

He told the crowd that, when he began to think about what Memorial Day means to most Americans, what came to mind was that it's the beginning of summer — with backyard cookouts, sports events and sales.

"But Memorial Day is more than this. It is a chance for all Americans to pause and remember the sacrifices, remember the gallantry and bravery of our fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and merchant marines," he said.

Silva said he researched the history of the day so people can remember the true meaning.

"It was originally called Decoration Day, and it was to celebrate the fallen from the Civil War," he noted. It was Gen. John Logan, who issued the Memorial Day order in 1868, to honor all who died in service of the nation.

Silva shared an excerpt from Logan's order:

"We should guard their graves with scared vigilance. All that we consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations, that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Silva noted, Americans have started to pay more attention to Memorial Day.

"My message today is for everyone to remember our fallen and not just on this scared day, but all year long," he said. "They are all heroes, who defended this great nation that we all live in today and enjoy all its freedoms."

The memorial services at the VFW Lot in Beech Grove cemetery were punctuated by the involvement of schoolchildren, from kindergarten and to high school seniors. The flower girls and flag boys decorated the grave of the unknown soldier, while fifth-graders Katrina Tuck and Jack Reily recited the poems "In Flanders Field" and "Answer to Flanders Field." The elementary school chorus sang "God Bless the U.S.A." The fourth- and fifth-grade sign carriers held up the names of the deceased veterans who passed away this year.

After leaving the cemetery, the parade stopped at Harvey Park to pause for a ceremonial laying of a wreath, then moved to Lumber Wharf, where they honored those who lost their lives at sea. Local scouts tossed flowers into the ocean, and members of the Boston Minutemen Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps tossed a wreath into the harbor.

The ceremonies concluded with the American Legion firing squad's salute to the dead, followed by the playing of taps and echo, with student musicians Max Syron and Thomas Catena.

Gail McCarthy can be reached at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com