We Remember the Ultimate Sacrifice

The Honor Guard performs the 21-gun salute on Saturday.

The Honor Guard performs the 21-gun salute on Saturday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Remembering the ultimate sacrifice made by those in uniform in the defense and protection of our country is the reason for the Memorial Day holiday.

In Oskaloosa, veterans started gathering at the American Legion Post #34 early on Monday morning for their annual march from the post to Forest Cemetery.

Led by an Oskaloosa firetruck, the procession made its way east on High Avenue before making the turn north onto North 9th, which took them through the gates of Forest Cemetery.

There, at the memorial platform, Master of Ceremonies Joe Durian welcomed the large crowd that gathered to pay respects.

Everyone stood for the raising of the flag at the veterans monument by Jay Guild and Darrin Alderson as the National Anthem was performed.

After the invocation by American Legion Post Champlain Jerry Blanchard, Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt welcomed the community to the day’s ceremony.

Allison McGuire and the Oskaloosa City Band performed, paying homage in the form of a patriotic medley.

Richard Grimes was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Grimes is active in veterans causes, and is a former social studies teacher at Oskaloosa Senior High School.

The most solemn part of the annual ceremony was the report of graves. Each veteran who passed away during the past year had their name called out, and a bell tolled in their honor.

The day ended with the honor guard performing a 21-gun salute, followed by taps.

Veterans and community members then made their way back to the American Legion building to share lunch and conversation.

Oskaloosa VFW Post #2237 and Auxiliary, along with Harry L. Anderson Post #34 American Legion, along with Auxiliary and many others helped to make the day possible.

Posted by on May 31 2016. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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