Community marks Memorial Day holiday with annual service

By JESSICA BRICKER

The nation’s fallen heroes were honored Monday by the American Legion Post 111.

“Today we honor the brave men and women who died in defense of our great country,” Post Commander Ron Marshall said in a downtown Bluffton Memorial Day service.

American Legion Post 111 Commander Ron Marshall speaks to a crowd gathered outside the post home on West Washington Street Monday morning.

He spoke of the toll that past wars have had on American troops, from countless deaths to injuries inflicted on survivors, both physical and mental. They suffered those traumas so that Americans can enjoy the freedoms they have, he said.

Marshall also quoted several past presidents to drive home the message, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, who once said, “Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free.”

Monday’s scheduled speaker did not show. Bluffton High School band members performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” and also performed taps.

The American Legion Post 111 honor guard conducts a salute to fallen comrades during Monday’s Memorial Day service in Bluffton. (Photo by Jessica Bricker)

“This morning we will remember our fallen and we must remember to be ever-watchful of our nation that we love and (it) will remain strong and free,” Marshall said.

The ceremony was repeated Monday, as is customary, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian Monday.

Robert Beuhl and Marty Burgan stand at the ready — Beuhl to place the memorial wreath at the foot of the soldier’s memorial monument at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian, and Burgan to raise the flag from half staff. (Photo by Glen Werling)

jessica@news-banner.com

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR