Memorial Day is a time to remember and a time to honor those who served our country and those who gave everything to keep this country free. Began after the Civil War to honor Union Soldiers, it was then expanded after WWI to honor Americans who died in all wars. Memorial Day is now an occasion for families to remember their dead whether they served or not.
Memorial Day services were held at area cemeteries and were conducted by the VFW, American Legion, Legion Riders and AmVets. The Ladies VFW Auxiliary placed wreaths in Riverside Cemetery and threw one into the water at the walking bridge behind the Public Library. The members were Laural White, Helen Schmidt, Terri Griffin and Wanita Mehmen.
At Riverside Cemetery, Pastor Pattie Kellogg lead a prayer service for our deceased veterans. She praised them saying “We are so very proud of them.”
One elderly Veteran was overheard saying “There’s not too many of us left now, we’re disappearing fast”, A speaker at the Floyd County Court House event said that we have lost 50 veterans since last years Memorial Day Services.
A few of the veterans on the Honor Guard were Ben Cordes, retired Air Force; Russel Ball, Army; Tom Trainer, retired Navy; and Bruce White, Navy.
Tony Rottinghouse sang the Star Spangled Banner. Jerry Yeager, Mayor-pro-tem read the proclamation, Boy Scout Jared Tieskotter read the Gettysburg Address and Taps was played by buglers Hunter Crawford, Nate Mead, Connor Spading and Austin Gerber. Pastor Dennis Niezwaag lead the prayer service at the court house, and Father Carl Ries held Catholic Mass at Calvary Cemetery after the Honor Guard event.|
