NEDERLAND - The Silent Ride Ceremony, which takes place every year on Memorial Day, is a powerful tribute truly in the spirit of the Carousel of Happiness, and in the story of its creation. Its creator, Scott Harrison, imagined the magical carousel when he was in the center of the grimmest reality, the Vietnam War.

It’s the magic that Harrison has imbued into his creation, into the carving of every wooden animal, that helps us channel childlike wonder from sorrow, that enables us to find happiness on the other end of tragedy. 

Harrison’s creations, like the Somewhere Else wall and the angels who encircle the carousel, watching over riders and holding mirrors up to reflect their joy, directly represent this message.

And while many visitors from out of town may not understand what the carousel truly represents, the community gathers every year specifically to honor that intention, to honor their fallen friends and family, and to feel the magic.   

On Monday, May 26, 2025, Harrison was the first to share words about someone who died in the service of their country. Paul Christmas, whom Harrison served with in a machine gunner unit in Vietnam, died in January of 1968.

Harrison described Christmas as someone who always kept the mood light, especially when it was needed, and he called him a dear friend whom he missed very much.

Sarah, who traveled all the way from Iowa, spoke next about her brother, Christian Langenfeld, who also served alongside Harrison and Christmas, and who also died in January, 1968. 

The microphone was passed around to those surrounding the carousel, and many spoke of those who died in battle, and those who died at home while still carrying with them the realities of war.

Those who offered their reflections were handed flowers by four young ladies, Delilah, Magnolia, Tallulah, and Alma, before Sean Applebee, who was honoring his grandfather Dennis and his great-grandfather Peter, performed “Taps.” 

And then, a silent spin of the carousel which spoke volumes.

The creaking and cracking of the carousel spinning were the only sounds, as the pipes of the old Wurlitzer stayed silent, and the crowd of people filled the circular room with their thoughts, their love, and their grief.

The animals seemed to become more alive in the silence, as the heaviness of remembrance awakened sight into a spiritual world just on the other side of the veil.

Afterwards, veterans, loved ones, and the four lovely flower girls were invited to ride the carousel together, this time with the Wurlitzer emitting its intoxicatingly bombastic fanfare. And like magic, as the music began to play and the old gears began to spin, smiles grew on faces once again. 

And though the souls of our loved ones who have passed rest somewhere else, when their names are spoken into the wind and the tales of their heroism and sacrifice are kept alive, we can feel them with us, watching us, smiling down as we spin again on the Carousel of Happiness.