| Memorial
Day services are set
Monday, May 29, 2017 is the official celebration of Memorial Day, honoring our fallen military heroes. The combined American Legion and VFW honor guard will conduct memorial ceremonies at the Greencreek community cemetery at 10:00 AM, and the Cottonwood Catholic community cemetery at 11:00 AM, followed by the Cottonwood Community Cemetery. Keeping with a biannual rotation, next year the ceremonies will be at the Ferdinand and Keuterville Cemeteries. Following the ceremonies there will be Quilts of Valor presentations at the Prairie Elementary School Gymnasium, starting at noon. All veterans are encouraged to join the honor guard in performing the ceremony. Meet at the American Legion Hall in Cottonwood at 9:15 AM. Bob Ross, Combined Honor Guard Commander, Fred Seubert, American Legion Commander, and Joe Riener, VFW Post Commander invite the public to attend, remembering those who selflessly sacrificed to protect our freedom. The service includes the presentation of the colors, three-volley rifle salute, laying a memorial wreath, reading the names of the deceased veterans, playing TAPS, and a recitation of In Flanders Fields. In Flanders Fields is the now famous poem read every Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. It was written on the German battlefield in 1915 by a Canadian Army doctor. By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. |
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