Bruce Cotta has seen more of war than most. A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, the speaker at Warren's Memorial Day exercises Monday morning said he lives Memorial Day every day, as does every veteran.

Sgt. Cotta made his remarks at the Warren Armory, where Monday's services were moved due to the threat of rain. A small crowd of about 100 listened to him speak in what were the first in-person exercises since 2019. While onlookers stood at rapt attention, he reflected on the true meaning of the holiday for him, and why he fears it is being lost:

"What is really being observed?" he asked. "Is it just a holiday, a day off from work? Family barbecues, picnics, going to the beach? Is that what Memorial Day has become? Why are so few Americans keeping the tradition of pride and service for our country, and remembering those that had that tradition taken from them for an eternity? As I see it, the reason is many Americans have never been touched by war."

Yet it has touched everyone, he said.

Several years ago, Sgt. Cotta left a note on an online Vietnam memorial site, saying a few words and leaving his e-mail address under a section dedicated to one of the soldiers who died in his arms. Three years later, he received a response from the sister of the man's widow. She had never had closure, the sister said, and would he be willing to speak to her?

"Of course," he replied.

He spoke to her later that day and next day, the woman caught a flight from California. They met at a small coffee shop near TF Green Airport.

"She said the young lieutenant was the love of her live and was taken from her too soon, and she still thinks about him every day," he said.

They ended up speaking for two hours.

"In between the tears and the hugs, she finally had closure," he said. "For the first time in 40 years she knew what happened to the love of her life. As I walked her to the rental car, she turned and hugged me one last time, and said, 'I have to touch you again, you were the last person to touch my husband alive.'"

"As I drove home, I reflected on what had just happened. I gave closure not just to the living, but also to my brother, who gave his life for us. It was the least I could do for his sacrifice."

"That, to me, is Memorial Day."