Memorial Day observances planned in area

Talk about it

A full slate of events around the area and at the state level offer people the chance to honor the men and women who have perished in this country’s wars. Many include placing wreaths and raising flags in honor of the veterans of the U.S. military.

The program at Jamestown begins at 9 a.m. Monday at the Knights of Columbus hall. The presentation includes an invocation by Thomas Sagaser as well as the national anthem presented by the Jamestown Drum and Bugle Corp. Featured speaker is Bert Gray, commander of the Jamestown American Legion. Charlie Kourajian will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Following the program wreaths will be placed at the five Jamestown cemeteries by the various veterans’ organizations in the city.

In a change from previous programs the wreath for the naval ceremony honoring sailors lost at sea was moved from the bridge over the James River to the Knights of Columbus hall.

“The water is just too high at the bridge,” said Rod Olin, member of the Disabled American Veterans and an organizer of the event. “We just can’t hold the ceremony there.”

After the programs at the various cemeteries, which are all held simultaneously at about 10 a.m., everyone will proceed to the Veteran’s Memorial Wall at Fort Seward for a brief ceremony and placing of a wreath.

Those ceremonies are followed by a free luncheon at the All-Vets Club.

Ceremonies at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan are slated for noon. Keynote speaker is Capt. Robert Wefald with Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Sen. John Hoeven and Maj. Gen. David Spynczynatyk also scheduled to speak.

The program includes a 21-gun salute utilizing a World War I era French 75mm canon and the caparisoned riderless horse presented by the Bismarck Mounted Police. The saddle of the horse is fitted with empty boots facing backward signifying that a warrior will no longer ride into battle.

Community commemorations are also planned for Memorial Day in many towns around the area.

Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. at the high school gym in Edgeley. The program there is followed by programs and wreath-laying ceremonies at both community cemeteries.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m at the Memorial Hall in Streeter. The Rev Zachary Bey is the featured speaker at the event which will be followed by ceremonies at the cemetery and a lunch.

The Rice-Deede American Legion Post of Woodworth will conduct services beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Pettibone Cemetery and at 10:30 a.m. at the Woodworth Cemetery. A potluck lunch will follow at Woodworth School.

Memorial Day services at Kensal will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the school building.

In Medina, the Memorial Day service begins at 10:30 a.m. at the school gym. Featured speaker is Tom Reddick, superintendent of edina School. The program features a slide show of veterans from the Medina area.

The program is followed by services at both community cemeteries and a lunch served at the Legion Club.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, memorial day, news