Update: The Fort Atkinson Police Department released on Wednesday information regarding a shift in plans associated with the Memorial Day parade. According to the release, the American Legion Post 166 Memorial Day parade is shifting to a processional, which will be held Monday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. A story about the change is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-police-memorial-day-parade-shifts-to-processional-due-to-construction/.
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to include the times at which honor guard crews will arrive at area cemeteries.
Fort Atkinson veterans organizations have announced Memorial Day activities, which include a parade and program at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Memorial Day remembrance, which will be held Monday, May 30, will begin with a breakfast at the American Legion Dugout at 6:30 a.m.
Cost for the breakfast, sponsored by the Paul Frank Florine American Legion Post 166 Auxiliary, is $7 for adults; $4 for children ages 3-12 and free for children under 3, according to information released by the veterans organizations.
Two honor guard cemetery crews will depart from the Legion Dugout for rifle salutes at area cemeteries. The west run will be departing from the Legion Dugout at 7 a.m., and will visit the following cemeteries: Wards Cemetery, 7:20 a.m.; North Oakland Cemetery, 7:33 a.m.; Oakland Cemetery, 7:45 a.m.; Ives Cemetery, 8:05 a.m.; Seventh Day Advent Cemetery, 8:20 a.m.; Bussyville Cemetery, 8:40 a.m., and Union Cemetery, 8:50 a.m.
The south run will be departing from the Legion Dugout at 7:20 a.m. and will visit the following cemeteries: Lakeview Cemetery, 7:40 a.m.; South Koshkonong Cemetery, 8:10 a.m.; Cold Spring Cemetery, 8:40 a.m., and Hebron Cemetery 9:10 a.m.
The marine observance begins at the Legion Dugout at 10 a.m. and will be led by American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson with Post Chaplain Steve Leggett offering the prayer.
Flower strewers for the observance consist of Betty Schelb of the American Legion Post 166 Auxiliary, Faith Elford of the Edwin Frohmader Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 Auxiliary, Karen Swader of Chapter 409 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Nancy Olson of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Helen O’Neil of the Gold Star Mothers.
Other observance participants include: Leggett, who will be reciting “In Flanders Fields,” a war poem in the form of a rondeau, written during World War I by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae; a call to the honor guard and 21-gun salute will be led by Dick Miles; “Taps” will be sounded by buglers and Fort Atkinson High School seniors Joey Barganz and Nolan Zachgo; the National Anthem will be played by the Fort Atkinson High School Band and the American flag will be raised while the band is playing. Closing remarks will be delivered by Osmundson.
This year’s parade marshal is Fort Atkinson’s “Windy” Frohmader.
The parade will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. at South Water Street, continuing on Main Street, with an anticipated arrival time of 10:55 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery is planned to begin at 11 a.m.
The observance at the cemetery will include opening remarks made by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 Commander Bill Imsland, followed by an invocation delivered by Leggett, and the reading of the Gettysburg Address by Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2022 President Drew Evans and the reading of Logan’s Orders by Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp. Next, Ret. Col. Mike Williams will deliver a speech.
Decorating the monument this year will be Imsland, Osmundson, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 409 representative Steve Swader, and Disabled American Veterans representative Al Olsen.
A benediction, led by Leggett, will follow.
Other participants in the observance include: Miles, serving as honor guard commander, Barganz and Zachgo, who will sound “Taps,” and the Fort Atkinson High School Band, playing the National Anthem.
The observance will conclude with remarks made by Imsland.
Following the ceremony, lunch will be served at noon at the VFW.
Flowers for the observances have been donated by Humphrey Florals, according to the release.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1879 Commander Bill Imsland rides along Main Street last year during the Memorial Day parade. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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