Welcoming everyone to Kimball’s Memorial Day service, Veteran Service Officer Ron Scott reminded all in attendance of the reason behind the day, to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.
“Today, we pay tribute to our deceased veterans,” Scott says.
Rev. Amanda Esping of the First English Lutheran Church offered the opening prayer, finishing with, “May you guide our hearts to the ways of peace.”
Joyce Witt, on this day of remembrance, gave the history of Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day.
Decoration Day was officially proclaimed May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The day was observed by the placement of flowers on the graves at Arlington National Cemetary of both Union and Confederate Soldiers from the Civil War.
Following World War II, the day became about remembering all our fallen soldiers from any war. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday to be observed on May 30.
This Memoriaql Day in Kimball veterans were accompanied to the service by friends and family where they were joined by others to pay tribute and give thanks.
Carol Jo Nagel honored the fallen by reading an original poem entitled, “A Soldiers Last Prayer”. Bob and Mary Kay Jenner sang patriotic songs for the gathering as their tribute.
The Rev. and Mrs. Scott Bailey presented James Merryfield, VFW Commander, with a montage of photos taken at Normandy while the Bailey’s were there.
Rev. Bailey credited his wife with the idea, and thanked Derek and Larissa Thomas for aiding with the framing and matting.
The photo montage and printed dedication can be seen as displayed in the VFW hall.
Veteran John Berg addressed the audience reminding them that the gathering today is for remembrance.
Berg said towns across the nation are having fewer Memorial Day services or parades, in essence they are forgetting to remember.
He urged those in attendance not to forget the lives lost in battle.
“Today, as a nation, we hold them especially close,” Berg says.
He also urges us to acknowledge those still serving.
“Let us not forget the humanitarian efforts of our comrades,” he adds.
Berg thanked those serving currently across the world in various ways and in America as well, aiding those across the country struggling with natural disasters.
Rita Snyder whose son Jason Fegler was killed in combat, and her husband Eugene Snyder were then escorted to the memorial stone by Tom and Karen Hewitt.
“I felt very honored to have been there for the Snyders,” Mrs. Hewitt says.
Once they placed the Memorial Day wreath at the base of the stone the Honor Guard gave a twenty-one gun salute in honor of all fallen soldiers.
Veteran Larry Engstrom assisted Merryfield in raising the flag to full staff, where it will remain for the day, waving proudly over the memorial stone for our fallen vets.
