American Legion Family members lead Memorial Day observances across the nation.
Included in The American Legion Preamble is the phrase, “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.” And as Memorial Day came and went, American Legion Family members lived up to one of the core principles.
Nationwide, members of the Legion Family either led or participated in Memorial Day observations to ensure the sacrifices made by U.S. servicemembers are not forgotten.
The following are just a few examples of those efforts. Legion Family members who were a part of similar efforts are urged to share their stories and photos at legiontown.org.
Alabama
In Lanett, American Legion Post 67 dedicated a new World War II Memorial in Veterans Park and started a new tradition of displaying U.S. flags at the four memorials to honor the memory of local soldiers who died in service to their nation.
“Memorial Day is a time we honor the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to this great nation of ours,” Post 67 Commander Lanny Bledsoe said during the Memorial Day program. “It is fitting that we eulogize these brave soldiers here where we are surrounded by monuments honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country in years past – a true reminder freedom does not come without a high cost.”
California
In Huntington Beach, American Legion Post 133 teamed with the city for the 120th annual Memorial Day program that took place at Pier Plaza (see video below).
Colorado
· In Longmont, American Legon Post 32 joined with Longs Peak Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601 to place wreaths for fallen servicemembers at Stephen Day Park, Foothills Gardens of Memory and Mountain View Cemetery. More than 150 people attended the final ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery.
· In Alamosa, members of Dickey Springer American Legion Post 113, other veterans organizations and the public paid their respects to those who have served in the armed services at a Memorial Day Service at the Alamosa Cemetery. "We have come together in our communities, cities, and towns to place flowers on the graves of those who have given their last full measure of devotion to our country,” Post 113 member Monte Collins said. “Please reach out and find ways you can engage, ways that you can be a part of caring for those who have served. It could be driving a veteran to a medical appointment, befriending a veteran who lives alone, or helping out in other ways."
· Outside of Breckenridge, members of Buena Vista Post 55, Salida Post 64, Fairplay Post 172 and Bailey Post 2527 have gathered at Hoosier Pass off of Highway 9 south of Breckenridge, Colo., for a ceremony on the Sunday before Memorial Day. The mountain pass sits at 11,542-feet elevation, offering panoramic views during the ceremony, which members believe may be the highest memorial service performed in the United States. See a photo gallery.
Connecticut
In Bristol, American Legion Post 209’s Memorial Day parade drew a solid crowd despite windy and cold conditions.
“We do this so that we can teach the next generation what Memorial Day is all about,” American Legion Post 209 Commander Brian Avery said. “There were a lot of young people who were really happy to be a part of the parade this year. Memorial Day isn’t about barbecues, burgers and hot dogs. It’s about those families with an empty seat at the table who hoped and prayed for their loved ones to come home but they did not. It’s about teaching respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Florida
· In Madeira Beach, American Legion Post 273 hosted its first official ceremony since the post reopened in February after last year’s hurricanes. "I was genuinely pleased and surprised and delighted that we did have so many people show up today," Post 273 Commander Anthony Torregrossa said. "I think we had our largest crowd for a Memorial Day service, which is very important, because it's the one day of the year we actually get to solemnly dedicate it to the falling heroes a day that they deserve. It's a national holiday. People celebrate that, the opening to summer. My goal as commander of this post is to understand there's a reason behind that. If you want to celebrate, that’s fine, but please take to heart why you are celebrating. You wouldn't be here probably if it wasn't for these fallen heroes that we are honoring today.”
· In Monticello, Otto M. Walker Post 49 hosted both a Memorial Day ceremony and picnic. Among the speakers was U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Byron J. Arceneaux, a Post 49 member who recently returned from a six-month deployment to Guam and Tinian.
Georgia
· In Chatham County, American Legion Post 63 hosted a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at the Bonaventure Cemetery. The event was attended by members of Post 63 and Post 500 in Savannah. “You build a bond in the military, and when you build that bond, you don’t forget those guys,” Post 63 Douglas Andrews said.
· In Statesboro, Dexter Allen Post 90 sponsored a Memorial Day ceremony at the Emma Kelly Theater.
Maine
· In Wiscasset. American Legion Post 54 conducted a ceremony at the town office that included setting up a POW/MIA chair. "This is a reminder for all of us to spare no effort to secure the release of any American prisoners from captivity and repatriation of remains of those who died bravely in the defense of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing,” Post 54 Commander William Cossette Jr. said. “Let us rededicate ourselves to this vital endeavor."
· In Dover-Foxcroft, American Legion Post 29 Commander Adrienne Clarke and Post 29 Adjutant Bill Siemerling spoke at the town’s annual Memorial Day observance that included a procession that started at the Piscataquis County Court House campus, traveled to the Piscataquis River bridge for the dropping of memorial flowers into the water below and then moving to Monument Square for a ceremony. Siemerling, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Afghanistan, spoke about local residents who died in service to the nation. “These are the men who grew up on these streets, graduated from [Foxcroft Academy] and went off to war, never to return,” Siemerling said. “Some of you knew them, some of you are related to them, we should all remember them. Remember today and always that there are kitchen tables in this town that will forever have an empty seat, front doors that will never again be blackened again by a returning loved one. The families whose loved ones sacrificed everything need to know their loved ones did not die in vain.”
Montana
In Lewistown, more than 100 people attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. American Legion Post 16 Honor Guard Commander Dean Martin was the keynote speaker for the ceremony there, as well as ceremonies at Central Montana Memorial Gardens, Calvary Cemetery, and Lewistown City Cemetery earlier Monday.
Following Martin’s speech, American Legion member John Koch read the names of 35 local veterans who passed away last year. “Today is a solemn occasion to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Koch said.
New York
· In Johnson City, American Legion Post 758 hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. The ceremony included remarks from local veterans and officials, as well as a special performance by the Johnson City Central School District marching band. Members of Post 758 also conducted 21-gun salutes at Calvary Cemetery, Floral Park Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park.
· In Wellsville, Morrison Hayes American Legion Auxiliary Unit 702 conducted a service in front of Post 702 that included honoring members of the post’s Legion Family who passed away this year. Members of Post 702 also conducted a ceremony at Veteran Memorial Park that was attended by more than 150 people. Following both services, a parade took place down Main Street that led to more services being conducted at Woodlawn and Sacred Heart Cemeteries.
· In Hammondsport, American Legion Post 407 held its annual Memorial Day services, starting at the Veteran’s Honor Roll Memorial in the town square with a wreath-laying ceremony and then included a small parade to Main Street Cemetery.
North Carolina
· In Beaufort, American Legion Post 99 held a flag raising ceremony in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Also included in the ceremony was the national anthem, a poem and wreath laid in front of the Carteret County courthouse. “Memorial Day is the only day that the flag is set at half-mast at sunrise and then raised at noon,” Post 99 Commander John Owens said. “The reason for that is that we honor those that have passed away, in the morning with a half mast, and then in the afternoon we raise it for the freedoms they gave us.”
· In Cary, American Legion Post 67 hosted a ceremony that included guest speakers and the reading of names, each with the ring of a bell, of the 16 veterans from Post 67 who have died in the last year.
Ohio
In New London, American Legion Post 292 organized a ceremony that took place at Memorial Park. A large crowd heard remarks from State Rep. Kellie Deeter, whose grandfather fought in World War II.
South Carolina
In Goose Creek, American Legion Post 166 conducted its annual Memorial Day service, which included a wreath-laying ceremony, 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
"This sacred day we honor all the brave, free, freedom-loving, patriotic men and women throughout our history," Post 166 Commander Jim Rowan said. "This is such a big deal. Today means that we're going to pay homage to all the Americans ahead of us in our history that have given up their lives so that we can be free in America.
Texas
· In Boerne, Captain Mark "Tyler" Voss American Legion Post 313 conducted a ceremony at Veterans Plaza that included remarks from retired Col. Don “Bulldog” Taylor, who in 2006 commanded the busiest trauma hospital in Iraq. “On Memorial Day, we reflect on the price of freedom; not just in theory, or in memes, but in flesh and blood, in memories, and in names etched into monuments, bricks and our hearts,” Taylor said. “We must remember them and their service. On this day, we honor the men and women who laid down their lives. Let us also remember what they lived for: service, sacrifice, connection, purpose that brotherhood/ sisterhood.”
· In San Antonio, Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony. During the ceremony, Post Commander Burrell Parmer read the names of the Legionnaires who entered Post Everlasting. Guest speakers included U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Richard Delgado Jr., chairman of the city’s Veterans Advisory Commission and a member of Audie L. Murphy Post 336 in San Antonio. “Today, we gather to commemorate Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Delgado. “These fallen heroes exemplified selflessness, courage and a commitment to something greater than themselves. Each of the fallen had a story, a family and dreams that were cut short in the name of duty. They left behind loved ones who continue to feel the weight of their absence. In their honor, we must strive to live our lives to the fullest, embracing each moment with gratitude and purpose.”
Virginia
· In Moneta, American Legion Post 62 held its annual Memorial Day ceremony and wreath laying on Monday at the Smith Mountain Lake/Moneta Library to honor fallen service men and women. More than 100 people attended the ceremony, which included performances by the Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy Brass Band and multiple speakers, including Post 62 service officer Jim Kurtz, a retired helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, and Post 62 Commander Jeff Prowse. "I think about Memorial Day, and the people who make that possible for families,” Prowse said. “Thank you for supporting our veterans."
· In Staunton, American Legion Post 13 hosted a ceremony that included music, prayer, and recognition of Gold Star mothers. “It is a way for us to keep the memory of those people who have died and gave us those freedoms that we enjoy today, so we can go out and have those picnics, vacations, and free speech, and the different things that we enjoy in this country,” Legionnaire David King said.
West Virginia
In Wheeling, more than 100 people attended American Legion Post 1’s annual Memorial Day service at Heritage Point. Several Gold Star families attended the service, which included a reading of “In Flanders Field.”
“On every day on Memorial Day it’s important to pay tribute to the armed servicemembers who haven’t returned home, whether they were killed in action or were killed on active duty. It’s this day that we pause to remember their sacrifice,” Post 1 Commander John Powell said.
Wyoming
In Jackson Hole, American Legion Post 43 conducted a Memorial Day ceremony at Jackson Town Square that included a flyover from a missing man formation flight of T-34, T-28 and T-38 planes. The ceremony was attended by more than 100 people and included music, a color guard and guest speakers.
Toward the conclusion of the ceremony, members of Post 43 threw flowers into Snake River to honor U.S. servicemembers lost at seas.
“It’s today that “we formally remember and honor and pay tribute to all those members of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in service to our country,” Post 43 Legionnaire Ed Liebzeit said. “Our heroes mostly common men. But they died doing uncommon things.”
- Honor & Remembrance