American Legion Family again at center of Memorial Day observances
As Memorial Day approaches, members of the American Legion Family nationwide have observations planned, from traditional services at the post or a veterans memorial, or by performing gravesite honors.
The nation’s capital is again a hub for Memorial Day activities. National Vice Commander Randy Edwards will be in Washington, D.C., to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, while fellow National Vice Commander Bill Roy will take part in a similar ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
But in communities across the country, American Legion Family members will again lead Memorial Day ceremonies and events. Some already have gotten a jump on the holiday, having placed thousands of flags on the graves of veterans in their communities. Others will use the actual day, May 27, to honor those veterans no longer with us.
The following are examples of how American Legion Family members plan to commemorate Memorial Day. Please feel free to share how your post, district or department observe the holiday at www.legiontown.org.
Arizona
Freeman H. Sharp American Legion Post 70 in Parker is teaming with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7061 to conduct two Memorial Day ceremonies: one at the Colorado River Indian Tribes Cemetery and another at Parker Cemetery.
At Parker Cemetery, Post 70 will be honoring Legionnaire Anthony Drennan Sr. for his service in the U.S. Navy and his service to the community, including multiple terms as Tribal Chairman.
California
· In Anaheim, American Legion Post 72 is co-coordinating a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at Anaheim Cemetery and then hosting a reception afterward.
· In Alhambra, the city is teaming with American Legion Post 139 for a Memorial Day ceremony at Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial.
Colorado
In Eaton, American Legion Norman Hutchinson Post 26 will conduct a ceremony at Eaton Cemetery. At the end of the ceremony, a rifle volley will be fired and taps will be played. Flags also are scheduled to be placed around Benjamin Eaton Memorial Park; Auxiliary Unit 26’s Hometown Heroes banners will be hung in observance of Memorial Day.
“We honor the heroes of all wars, not just on Memorial Day but through our daily commitment to ensure that America remains a place worthy of such sacrifice,” Post 26 said via news release.
Florida
In Key Biscayne, American Legion Post 374 is teaming with village officials for a Memorial Day ceremony that will include patriotic music, a wreath laying, displays and a reading of “In Flanders Field.” Post 374 has partnered with the village since 2001 for such an event.
“What they did for this country is honorable, and they should be remembered every day," American Legion Post 374 Commander Michael King said of those being honored.
Illinois
· In Plano, American Legion Post 395 will host a Memorial Day ceremony that will include a wreath laying and rifle salute. Following the ceremony, Post 395’s honor guard will lead a parade to another ceremony that will include music from local school bands.
· In Plainfield, American Legion Marne Post 13 will conduct its annual Memorial Day parade that will end with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Settlers’ Park memorial.
· In Morrison, Post 328 gathered with volunteers from the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and others to place 764 flags on veterans’ graves at Grove Hill Cemetery.
Kansas
· In Great Bend, members of American Legion Post 180 and Auxiliary Unit 180 will be handing out 3,000 poppies on the Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day, staging at different locations over the two days.
· In Derby, American Legion Post 408 will conduct a ceremony at Hillcrest Cemetery. Cynthia Welch, 931st Air Refueling Wing commander at McConnell Air Force Base, will serve as guest speaker.
Maine
· In Jay, American Legion Post 10 is teaming with other veteran service organizations to conduct wreath-laying services at area war memorials. The group also is conducting a parade with more than 35 units.
· In Rockland, Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post 1 will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony at Chapman Park. There will be a reading of poetry and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Maryland
In Cambridge, American Legion Post 91 is hosting a service at Long Wharf Park in Cambridge.
Michigan
In Morley, members of American Legion Post 554 and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 554 joined with local Girl Scouts to place American flags on veterans’ graves at Aetna Township Cemetery.
Minnesota
In St. Joseph, American Legion Post 328 will honor more than 600 veterans in a series of Memorial Day ceremonies. The post’s Legion Family will march to St. Joseph Catholic Church for a service before moving outdoors for the tolling of a bell to honor the names of veterans from the community who have passed.
The post’s Legion Family will also visit St. John’s Abbey Cemetery and the Yankee Cemetery.
Missouri
In Hannibal, American Legion Post 55 is hosting a Memorial Day service and then lunch. Following the lunch, those in attendance will head to the riverfront to release a poppy into the river; afterward, the post’s honor guard will visit four cemeteries and American Legion Riders Chapter 55 will ride to three other ones to honor the veterans buried there.
New York
· In Nyack, CR & RO Blauvelt American Legion Post 310 and VFW Post 9215 will place flags on more than 900 veterans’ gravesites – including two Medal of Honor recipients – at Oak Hill Cemetery. The two posts also are coordinating a community parade and ceremony.
· In Spring Valley, Anthony Moscarella American Legion Post 199 is teaming with the Village of Spring Valley for a Memorial Day event at Village Hall that will include a rifle salute for Spring Valley servicemembers killed in action.
· In Rockville Centre, American Legion Post 303 is hosting its annual Memorial Day parade, which will be followed by a ceremony at Veterans Park at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center.
· In Endicott, American Legion Post 1700 staged a Memorial Day ceremony ahead of the actual weekend. Dozens attended the event, which included the handing out of flags and poppies. "A lot of the veterans cannot make it out during Memorial Day. It's quite a busy time with the parades and everything,” Post 1700 Commander Dave Williams said. “So I feel that it's only right to come out here and spend time with them and have a service for them."
· In Plattsburgh, Clinton County Legionnaires placed around 2,300 flags on veterans’ gravesites in various cemeteries in the area. Members of the Civil Air Patrol, 4-H and the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York assisted the effort.
Ohio
In Bluffton, American Legion Post 382 is conducting a parade and then hosting a ceremony at Maple Grove Cemetery. After the Memorial Day observations, Post 382 will hold its annual chicken BBQ.
Pennsylvania
· In Fairview, American Legion Post 742 is conducting a parade that will conclude with a ceremony.
· In Girad, American Legion Post 494 is organizing a community parade through downtown.
· In North East, American Legion Lake Shore Post 105 and VFW Post 4759 are hosting the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Parade.
· In Erie, Boyertown American Legion Post 11 placed 2,500 American flags on the graves of veterans at the Highland Memorial Park cemetery ahead of Memorial Day. Some of the graves date back to the Civil War. "Being a veteran during the Korean War, it reminds me of some of the people who died valiantly," Post 11 Commander Charles Casey said. "Our veterans are ignored sometimes, and it hurts.”
Puerto Rico
In Isabela, American Legion Post 68 is conducting a Memorial Day ceremony with Boy and Girl Scout Troops 459 that also includes members of the community. Members of the post also visit the local veterans memorial and visit three local cemeteries, where they place flags on the graves of veterans buried there.
Rhode Island
In Smithfield, Balfour-Cole Post 64’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial in Deerfield Park. The ceremony will focus on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, but will also promote the Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention program. Post members will join with local Boys Scouts to place new flags and flowers on each of the war memorials and veterans’ graves throughout the town.
Also, the post will collaborated with the Smithfield Senior Center for a clothing drive to benefit Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to assist local homeless and at-risk veterans.
South Carolina
In Goose Greek, American Legion Post 166 is kicking off Memorial Day weekend by placing around 3,200 flags on veterans’ gravesites at the local cemetery. On Memorial Day, the post will host a ceremony that will be followed by a banquet honoring the 41 members of the post who are World War II or Korean War veterans.
The guest speaker for the banquet is Stacy Pearsall, a member of Post 166 and co-host of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. The post also is dedicating a mural that Howe Hall AIMS Elementary students designed and painted for the post’s building. Auxiliary Unit 166 also will present four veterans with Quilts of Valor.
Texas
In Odessa, American Legion Post 430 is hosting its annual Memorial Day event at the Ector County Cemetery.
“This is for the veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Post 430 Legionnaire Preston Parrott said. “It’s amazing how many people will come out. It’s always been a big deal.”
Wisconsin
· In Hubertus, Goetz Saint Louis American Legion Post 522 is debuting its Operation Namesake program, with its Memorial Day focusing on one of its names, Hebert Goetz. The post will conduct multimedia presentation on Herbert Goetz’s life and death, followed by a Memorial Day ceremony.
· In West Bend, Lt. Ray Dickop Post 36’s American Legion Riders will lead a community pre-parade through five area cemeteries to honor veterans buried there. The post also is coordinating a parade and then a program at Old Courthouse.
· In Allenton, Fohl-Martin American Legion Post 482’s honor guard will conduct ceremonies at eight cemeteries to honor the veterans buried there.
· In Twin Lakes, American Legion Post 544 is hosting a Memorial Day parade and then a ceremony at the post. The post also will conduct Memorial observances at Mound Prairie Cemetery and St John’s Cemetery.
· In Silver Lake, Schultz-Hahn American Legion Post 293 is hosting its annual Memorial Day parade and memorial service. Refreshments will be served immediately following the service.