Riva Sharples | Editor
Area residents will gather Monday, May 26, to observe Memorial Day, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as all veterans who are no longer with us.
Memorial Day is a more solemn occasion than the other holiday that recognizes those who serve, Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day is one of the oldest holidays in the U.S., having first been observed in 1868 as “Decoration Day.” Memorial Day honors and mourns the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces and is also used to remember all veterans who are deceased.
It is a traditional part of Memorial Day to visit area cemeteries and to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers and veterans. A 21-gun salute, the highest honor that can be rendered in the military, is often part of Memorial Day ceremonies at cemeteries.
At cemeteries in the area, flags will be placed on graves this Friday or over the weekend in preparation for Monday. At Roseni Cemetery, flags will be put up at 5:00 p.m. Friday, and all are welcome to come help. The flags will be removed at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 26.
Another Memorial Day custom is the wearing of the poppy to remember those who have fallen.
The Buddy Poppy is recognized as a memorial flower in countries throughout the world. The Buddy Poppy emblem is a small, red flower symbolizing bloodshed at the darkest hour. It is distributed by VFW organizations in most countries. Since 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has conducted an annual distribution.
Poppy flowers will be distributed Friday throughout the Beresford, Alcester, and Hudson communities.
The distribution of the Buddy Poppy assists in fulfilling the Veterans Motto, “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.” Generally, a donation is made by those acquiring and wearing the paper flowers. All proceeds from the distribution of the poppy are strictly for the benefit of veterans and their families.
Wear a Poppy to show the men and women of the Armed Forces our gratitude and respect for risking their lives in the defense of the freedom we enjoy each and every day as an American citizen.
The following Memorial Day observations are planned in Alcester and Beresford.
Alcester
American Legion Auxiliary members will be out and about this weekend distributing poppies. National Poppy Day will be celebrated Friday, May 23. Wearing a red poppy Friday and throughout the Memorial Day weekend honors the fallen.
On Monday, May 26, Alcester will conduct early morning services by the VFW and American Legion Color Guard at the following locations. All are welcome to attend these solemn ceremonies.
Big Springs Cemetery, 7:00 a.m.
Union Creek Cemetery, 7:25 a.m.
U.B. Cemetery, 8:00 a.m.
Nora Cemetery, 8:20 a.m.
Roseni Cemetery, 8:40 a.m. An indoor service with refreshments will follow.
Peace Cemetery, 9:10 a.m.
The VFW Color Guard will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.
The Alcester Memorial Day program begins at 10:30 a.m. in the high school gym. Memorial Day services are provided by the Alcester American Legion Post, the Alcester American Legion Auxiliary, the Alcester Sons of the American Legion, the Alcester Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Alcester VFW Auxiliary.
A luncheon hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary will be served immediately following the program in the north gym. All are invited to attend for a free will donation. The Alcester American Legion Auxiliary will also be collecting United States of America flags in need of proper disposal. There is also a drop-off location outside the door of the Alcester City office for flags in need of disposal, if you are unable to attend the Memorial Day festivities.
Additional Memorial Day services will take place at individual churches and cemeteries in the area.
Beresford
Beresford’s Memorial Day program, “Honoring All Our Deceased Veterans,” takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, in the elementary school (old gymnasium), West Elm Street entrance, in Beresford.
MC for the event will be VFW and American Legion Commander Lyle Savey. Advance of Colors and Retirement of Colors will be provided by the VFW and American Legion. The National Anthem and the singing of “God Bless America” will be delivered by Aaron Schmeling and Dexton Miller with an Invocation and Benediction by Pat Tooley.
General Logan’s Orders will be delivered by Jim Fitzpatrick.
The event’s Memorial Day speaker is Eli Seeley, Union County Veterans Service Officer.
Roll call, the reading of the names of all deceased veterans from the Beresford area, will be led by Jim Fitzgerald, Gail Snoozy, Joanne Paulsen, and Larry O’Connor.
After the Roll Call, the American Legion Auxliary led by Carmen Neumayr and VFW Auxiliary led by Gerri Dahlin will have a part in the program. Taps will be provided by Schemling and Miller.
Following Beresford’s Memorial Day program, enjoy lunch served by the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.
Hudson
A Memorial Day Observation will be held in Hudson at 10:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building. Cemetery services will take place from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. Lunch will follow at the Memorial Building for a free-will donation. The lunch will be catered by Central Catering