Memorial wreaths were laid on Monday to honor departed members of the armed forces. Photo by Kathy Sands.
Veterans and guests were welcomed Monday by Clint Willis to Veterans Memorial Park on behalf of the VFW #3851, American Legion Post #224 and its auxiliaries at the Memorial Day ceremony. Cub Scout Troop 340 was in attendance. The National Anthem was performed by Mike Croghan and Noah Collard. Carmi Mayor Jeff Pollard made opening remarks, followed by a statement by Barbara Karger of the Wabash Chapter DAR. Paul Hayse presented a plaque to Roscoe Templeton recognizing his many years of service as the American Legion Chaplain. Templeton performed military funerals in that capacity. Wreaths were laid at the memorial by representatives of the American Legion, VFW, DAR and American Legion Auxiliary members. Three round volleys, executed by a VFW team, followed by TAPS by Mike Croghan and Noah Collard, brought the service to a close. A final prayer was made by Clint Willis.
Keynote speaker Paul Hayse gave a brief history of Memorial Day, informing the group that the first Memorial Day is believed to have been celebrated with a parade of freed slaves and Union soldiers marching through Charleston, SC in 1865.
"Waterloo, New York is considered the official birthplace of Memorial Day because after the town held observances on May 5 ,1866, General John Murray and General John A. Logan called on all communities to honor the war dead every year. They was inspired by the practice of the South who honored their deceased Confederate soldiers for years.
"The first holiday was called Decoration Day. The date of May 30 was chosen because it was not on the anniversary of a battle; it was a day to honor fallen veterans of all American wars. The term 'Memorial Day' began to be used in World War II where 400,000 American service members would die fighting against tyranny in Europe.
“We are able to raise families, continue careers and live good lives because of the sacrifices made by young men and women who never came home. We must always remember them. May they all rest in peace. Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. Thank you for being there. God bless America.” Hayse concluded in his remarks.
"You Are Not Forgotten," the plaque says at the POW-MIA memorial, recounting that more than 91,000 American soldiers are unaccounted for since WW1.
