Large Crowd Attends Mesquite Memorial Day Service

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Mesquite Police Chief MaQuade Chesley (left) and Fire Chief Jayson Andrus together solemnly place a wreath at the Memorial Day Service held on Monday morning in Veterans Park in Mesquite. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

The 17th annual Memorial Day Service took place on Monday morning at the Veterans Memorial Park in Mesquite. The event drew the largest crowd ever.

Mesquite Mayor Al Litman has been organizing the ceremony for the past seventeen years. He likes to keep the ceremony short and to the point, but meaningful.

Members from the Mesquite Police and Fire Departments attended in formal uniform as well as many local veterans and a large crowd of caring citizens. All of th ese gathered to honor those that paid the highest price to preserve freedom in America.

Erv Wilferd and John Handel, both WWII Navy Veterans, attended the
Memorial Day Service on Monday morning in Veterans Memorial Park in Mesquite. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

In a brief speech, Litman praised the large turnout of residents. “This large crowd shows me the patriotism and loyalty that the citizens of Mesquite have for their country,” he said.
“Today we are here to remember our fallen brothers and sisters in arms,” Litman continued. “There will always be time for picnics later. It is our duty to remember first.”

The Veteran’s Center Honor Guard presented the colors and arms salute.
Police Chief MaQuade Chesley and Fire Chief Jayson Andrus together solemnly placed a wreath of remembrance at the veterans memorial.
Janet McDonald sang the National Anthem and a song salute to military personnel.
As always, local patriot Dennis Hangey greeted attendees with his bagpipe music. During the ceremony he also played a rendition of the beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

There were two World War II veterans in attendance at the ceremony. These were Erv Wilferd, a 96-year-old Navy veteran, and 99-year-old John Handel, also a veteran from the Navy.
“I may be old, but I can still get the ladies,” Handel joked after the ceremony.

Attending the ceremony is an emotional time for those with fallen loved ones. This was true for attendee Amy Bradshaw, a Member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Bradshaw said that she has a long family history of military service.
“Memorial Day was my dad’s favorite day to remember,” Bradshaw said.

Yummy breakfast burritos made by the Veterans Center members were passed out to attendees.

After the closing benediction from Litman, the Honor Guard went to the Cemetery next door and played taps there to remember the fallen.