By Kim McDarison
Fort Atkinson veterans organizations have announced Memorial Day activities, which include a parade and program at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Memorial Day observance, which will be held Monday, May 27, will begin with the departure of two honor guard cemetery crews from the Legion Dugout, 201 S. Water St., Fort Atkinson, 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 approximately 10 a.m., according to its organizers, and will be led by American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson with Post Chaplain Terry Heath offering the prayer.
Flower strewers for the observance consist of Dee Dee Carothers, representing Post 1879 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary, Betty Schelb of the American Legion Post 166 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: Heath, 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 Richard Miles; “Taps” will be sounded by buglers and Fort Atkinson High School students Ashlyn Wadsworth and Cal Tanblyn; 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.
Before closing remarks, which will be delivered by Osmundson, this year’s parade marshal, Mabel Schumacher, will be invited to “say a few words,” organizers announced.
The parade will start between approximately 10:15 and 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, 1105 N. Main St., Fort Atkinson.
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 Commander Archie Hafer, followed by an invocation delivered by Heath, and the reading of the Gettysburg Address by Fort Atkinson High School 2024 Class President Rebecca Christ, and Logan’s Orders by Fort Atkinson High School 2025 Class President Korynne Kutz.
Next, VFW Post 1879 surgeon Jamil Khan and Claire Yin, the daughter of Roger Yin, and a recipient of the American Legion Post 166 Voice of Democracy, will address observance attendees.
Decorating the monument in honor of fallen comrades this year will be Osmundson, representing Post 166 American Legion, Hafer, representing Post 1879 Veterans of Foreign Wars; Steve Swader, representing Chapter 409 Vietnam Veterans of America; and Al Olsen, representing Disabled American Veterans.
A benediction will follow.
Additionally, a small ceremony and luncheon will be held outside of the VFW clubhouse, N2074 Vets Ln., Fort Atkinson, at noon.
Honor guard member Richard Miles, who is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 and the American Legion Post 166, arrives in Evergreen Cemetery after marching in the parade and in advance of the cemetery observance held last year. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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