| Memorial
Day services, Quilts of Valor ceremonies set
Monday, May 25, 2015 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, Cottonwood Catholic cemetery at 11:00 AM, and the Cottonwood community cemetery at 11:30 AM. Following the honor guard ceremonies, at 12:30 PM, join the Camas Prairie Quilts of Valor Ladies, at the Prairie Elementary School (former middle school) gymnasium for presentation of Quilts of Valor to fifteen local veterans. Special thanks go to Prairie School District 242, and Rene' Forsmann for hosting the Quilts of Valor ceremony. Keeping with a biannual rotation, next year the ceremonies will be in Ferdinand and Keuterville cemeteries. All veterans are encouraged to join the honor guard in performing the ceremony. Meet at the American Legion Hall in Cottonwood at 9:30 AM. 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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