By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
It was an even smaller group than usual at the Pioneer Cemetery in Overton on the evening of Memorial Day, May 29. Only three members of the public were in attendance; along with three veterans from the VFW Elwood Perkins Post #8336, and two members of the VFW Auxiliary organization. But that was enough to do the honors of a solemn flag retreat service in memory of American servicemen fallen in the line of duty.
At 6 pm sharp, local veterans Phillip Mullins, Darcy Bushman and Michael Moriarty, assisted by Auxiliary members Gan Vance and Lorraine O’Dell, performed a brief memorial service to remember fallen comrades and patriots. One by one they each stepped forward to the foot of the Veteran’s Memorial at the cemetery to place a wreath, a flag, and flowers in red, white, and blue.
Each item symbolized virtues of their fallen comrades: remembrance, purity, devotion, and eternity.
These services concluded with a moment of silence and a silent salute from the line of veterans. Attendees stood and placed a hand over their hearts as a recording of “Taps” was played.
Then the color guard, consisting of Mullins, Bushman and Moriarty, quietly lowered the flag and gently fold it. The emblem was then respectfully carried away from the grounds, flanked by the rest of the guard.
“We didn’t have much of a turnout this year from our membership or from the public,” said
Bushman. “But we will still always hold this ceremony to remember those who have paid the highest price for our freedoms. Hopefully there will be more next year.”
