By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
It’s hard to believe the unofficial kickoff to summer is just days away, and for many of us, Memorial Day weekend means the start of backyard barbecues, lake days and a busy summer season.
But a reminder this holiday week, that the weekend itself carries a far deeper meaning — this remains a time we set aside each year to honor the men and women who died while serving our nation in the United States Armed Forces.
Across Moody County, local American Legion posts and volunteers will once again host Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 25, offering all of us a chance, even briefly amid the chaos of daily life, to pause, reflect and remember.
Local services include:
Flandreau
The Kelley-Porter American Legion Post 70 will host its Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at Flandreau Union Cemetery.
Scott Ross will serve as master of ceremonies and, former Flandreau High School teacher and coach, Travis Ahrens, will offer the invocation and benediction. The guest speaker this year is Paul McGlone, son of Murray and Megan McGlone and grandson of the late Jim “Tiger” and Pauline McGlone.
McGlone is a Yankton High School graduate and currently serves as a military policeman with the South Dakota National Guard.
Volunteers are encouraged to join Legion members at 7 a.m. to help place flags at the cemetery.
Trent
The Trent American Legion, as it always does, will host a full morning of Memorial Day observances:
M 8:30 a.m. Naval service at the bridge
M 9 a.m. Memorial service at the Trent Gym
M 10 a.m. Service at Trent Cemetery
M 10:30 a.m. Service at Salem Cemetery
M 11 a.m. Service at Oslo and Bethania cemeteries
M 11:30 a.m. Service at Nelson and Riverview cemeteries
Guest speaker for the Trent Gym service will be Chris Reiser.
Egan and Colman
Services sponsored by the Colman and Egan American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary will begin at 9 a.m. at Egan Church, followed by a 10:30 a.m. service at Colman Cemetery.
“Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces,” said Bonnie Hemmer of the Egan Legion Auxiliary.
“It is a time for communities to come together in remembrance, reflecting on the sacrifices made by service members and their families.”
Ramon Brende will deliver the Memorial Day message at both services. Brende, a veteran, served 25 years in the National Guard, including service in both the Army and Air Force.
The Colman-Egan Band, directed by Ronda Olson, will provide music during both ceremonies.
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