We went to our local Memorial Day Commemoration today. The weather cooperated, and there was a
very good turnout!
It started with the Navy Mothers dropping a wreath into the river in honor of all of the sailors who have passed on. Then a small parade from there to the park downtown where our war memorials are located (Civil War thru Gulf War). The parade included the High School and Jr. High School Marching bands playing the themes of the all the various branches of the military and other patriotic songs, followed by the obligatory Fire Trucks and River Rescue Trucks......lots of flashing lights to the delight of the little tikes (NO sirens to the delight of us older 'kids'!
). Behind that were all of the Scouting groups......and then
HUNDREDS of school children all waving the Stars & Stripes! The police closed down the state highway through town for the parade....there were no detours....motorists just had to sit and wait for about 20 minutes until the parade got to the park.
At the park the leaders of the VFW, American Legion, and AmVets all said a few words in honor of all of the fallen soldiers. Each of the area schools has an annual Memorial Day Essay contest, and the winner from each school read their winning essay.
As the church bells tolled, one of our local veterans read the list of area veterans who had passed away in the last year. Sadly the list grows each year......this year we lost 84 veterans from WWII, up through the Middle East.
The ceremony ended with the Honor Guard of our local Veteran Orgs offering up a 21 gun salute.
Thanks to all who have served!