Moments before placing a wreath to honor veterans who had made the ultimate sacrifice at the Memorial at Iola?s Highland Cemetery, Gene Gardner of the Moran American Legion recalled Memorial Day speakers of his past that had left an impact.
?One talked about how important it is to teach our children about the sacrifices made by so many, while another said America will only be the land of the free as long as it is home of the brave,? Gardner said. ?So many of the speakers spoke with so much pride, that it is hard not to think about all the people that have no idea what this holiday is really about.?
?While they go to the barbecues and beaches, it is really a time to remember all those that have fallen and rejoice all those that lived to remember. Let none of us ever forget what Memorial Day really is about,? Gardner said, as the wind blew several small flags that had been placed at each of the veteran?s graves.
Wet grounds soaked by an onslaught of a week of rain did not deter the crowd who gathered to honor veterans and soak up a short but sweet service on Monday morning.
Gene Gardner of the Moran American Legion, right, speaks while Doug Northcutt and Pat Spencer of the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars post look on.
Doug Northcutt, Commander of the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars and Pat Spencer, of the VFW Auxiliary of LaHarpe, also placed wreaths at the Memorial.
It was followed by a 21-gun salute that was done by the Moran American Legion firing squad.
A Memorial Day service was also held at the Dr. John Silas Bass Community Center, with First Christian Church pastor Kenyon Kaehr delivering the speech.
