(Lander, WY) – Each year at the Lander Memorial Day ceremony, in addition to honoring all men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, a local service member is recognized and that year’s Memorial Day is proclaimed to be in their honor. This year’s recipient of the honor was Roy J. Anesi, and following an official proclamation from Mayor Missy White, May 25, 2026 was proclaimed as ‘Roy J. Anesi Day.’
…WHEREAS, it is our duty to honor the men and women who served in the military and who nobly defended the freedom of the people throughout the world and of our nation; and
WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant Roy J. Anesi served his country in the United States Army Air Corps as an Aerial Engineer, Turret Gunner, during World War II; and WHEREAS, T/Sgt Roy J. Anesi was awarded the Air Medal for displaying extraordinary achievement in combat; and
WHEREAS, T/Sgt Roy J. Anesi was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal; and
WHEREAS, Roy J. Anesi represents the epitome of service to our nation, a debt of gratitude we can never repay,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Missy White, Mayor of Lander, Wyoming, do hereby recognize 25 May, 2026 as Roy J. Anesi Day.
The ceremony was conducted jointly between members of all Lander Veteran service organizations, as well as the Lander Volunteer Fire Department, the Lander Pipe Band, and the City of Lander, Keith Trouwborst, Vice-Commander of Lander’s American Legion, explained as the proceedings began.
Before proclaiming Memorial Day 2026 in Anesi’s honor, Mayor White stressed that we as civilians need to live lives worthy of the ultimate sacrifice that service members gave.
“I hope that we also take time to appreciate why we have the freedom to blissfully live our lives,” Mayor White said. “I hope we stop doing whatever it is we’re doing and appreciate that it’s because of the sacrifices of many that we have our carefree lives. I hope we have the grace to recognize that military graves are hallowed ground. I hope we recognize the strength and courage of the men and women who gave their all to make our lives possible. This ceremony is a gracious way to remind ourselves of why we lead charmed lives.”
“I hope we take time to ask a question of ourselves” Mayor White continued. “Am I living a life worthy of their sacrifice? Am I living a life of integrity? Do I conduct myself with honesty? Do I speak truthfully? Do I lead my life ethically? Do I show up every day in a way that deserves their sacrifice? Are my actions congruent with my core values? How am I in service to my community? What am I doing to help friends and neighbors and strangers? How can I help alleviate the pain and suffering of others? How am I in service to my country and our precious democracy? Does my life make other lives better? In short, am I carrying out the duty that was actually given to me? Am I living a life worthy of their sacrifice?”
After Mayor Whites remarks and Anesi’s family was presented with the framed proclamation, Senator Barrasso addressed the crowd and echoed Mayor Whites sentiments about showing appreciation through actions.
“People of the United States and certainly here in Wyoming through the years have continued to serve this nation and keep us safe and keep us free,” Senator Barrasso remarked. “And so here we are the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. When those early signers did that, they put us on a path of freedom and liberty and greatness. That’s the greatness of what they came up with 250 years ago. And sometimes we don’t appreciate it as we should.”
“Now, the world continues to be a very dangerous place,” Senator Barrasso continued. “Right now, we are at war in Iran. That’s a long way away and people don’t think of it as being that close. But a few days before the shooting started, I was on a destroyer within firing distance of Iran and it was a naval destroyer called the USS Bulkeley. …There were actually naval sailors from Wyoming on the Bulkeley. So we have our sons and daughters right there, right now.”
The ceremony concluded with Trouwborst conducting the placing of the Memorial Day flag and the laying of the flowers and wreathes, followed by a prayer from the Legion Chaplain, a rifle salute, ‘Taps,’ and the Lander Pipe Band.
h/t Vince Tropea, County 10