“My dad was in the Korean police action in the 1950’s and I bring my dads flag along and some of his ashes” said Kristie Gibson. Every day of the year, may God bless our men and women in uniform, those who have served before them, and their families. “Retiring our flags we also remember our veterans that way”, Roth said.
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More than 16 organizations and community members gathered Monday to pay their respects to veterans and their families at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Keithville.
The ceremony featured the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the lovely”, a rifle salute by the post’s color guard, and addresses by Charlie Stone of KSCJ and U.S. Rep. Steve King, of Kiron.
We’re all aware that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, but Congress has also established an exact minute of remembrance.
The American Legion Post 13 continues hosting this Memorial Day event year after year as a reminder to everyone that freedom doesn’t come for free.
Federal Law in 1968 officially deemed the national holiday Memorial Day, unofficially beginning summer as businesses close and workers have a long, three-day weekend.
“We feel we have a pretty good ceremony to offer and we’ve had some very nice crowds of people who come out and enjoy it, appreciate it and remember all those who have given their lives”, Taylor said. “Today is also a day to thank and support those who live with the loss of their loved ones”, said Hastings. Our wife’s New England family upholds the Decoration Day aspects of today, but in their own way – it’s traditional for family members to travel around and decorate with flowers the gravesites of all ancestors, whether they served in the military or not. The first in World War I was Cpl.
Headstones and American flags now symbolize the lives lost, but days like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day keep their spirit and memory alive.
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For 92-year-old Harold Wellington, an oiler in the Merchant Marines during World War II, Memorial Day is a chance to express his gratitude for being one of the ones that “made it through and got back back home again”.
