The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Elwood Perkins Post 8336 held its annual Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25. The event took place at the Pioneer Hill Cemetery in Overton at 6 p.m.

Despite the day cooling off and the sun going down, the crowd was very modest for the evening ceremony. Those in attendance consisted mostly of the families of VFW members and other veterans and their families.

The event began with a brisk raising of the flag to the top of the staff to honor the fallen heroes of the nation, before being slowly lowered. The flag-folding ceremony was carried out by the color guard, consisting of Commander Darcy Bushman, Officer of the Day Krysty Lavender of North Las Vegas VFW Post 10047, Junior Vice Commander Michael Moriarty, VFW Auxiliary President Ganise Vance and VFW member Frank Storik

Following the 13-Fold Ceremony was the Memorial Day Service proper. Acting Commander Tim Connelly, also of NLV VFW Post 10047, led the service. Commander Bushman laid a poppy wreath on the cemetery memorial shortly after the prayer.

Following the wreath were three flowers, each representing a unique quality. Acting Junior Vice Commander Brian Sherrett carried the white flower, representing purity. Officer of the Day Lavender carried the red flower, representing devotion and everlasting remembrance of “the heroic dead who have fallen in defense of the United States of America.” VFW Auxiliary President Vance carried the blue flower, representing eternity and life everlasting.

Finally, VFW member Joel Cortez handed off a small American flag to Connelly to add to the memorial, before a call for a slow salute as Taps played. The ceremony ended shortly after, with thanks to those in attendance.

NLV VFW members have participated in the Memorial Day service with the Elwood Perkins VFW for over 15 years, according to Bushman and Lavender. Lavender also shared that she and Connelly are the incoming commander and senior vice commander of Post 10047 respectively.

The public is invited to participate in the short flag raising and flag retreat ceremonies every year for Memorial Day, courtesy of the Elwood Perkins Post. Memorial Day signals the beginning of several patriotic holidays, with the next being Flag Day on June 14 and Juneteenth on June 19. Everyone able is invited to display their American flags outside their homes on June 14.