Our state has done well as far as battling COVID-19 is concerned – a majority of residents continue to stay home and practice physical distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus. Thank you.
During this time, a lot of our usual gatherings, especially for holidays, have to be modified. Some events were postponed, others went virtual. Through it all however, folks around the region made sure Memorial Day, and the Veterans we’ve lost, were not forgotten.
Photo from Lake Chelan Online News, Facebook
Photo courtesy Ray Dobbs, Facebook
Volunteers from Chelan VFW Post 6853 and Manson American Legion Post 108, among others, made sure the veterans graves at both Riverview and Fraternal Cemeteries were marked for the somber holiday.
Photo: Ruth Keys, Lake Chelan Mirror
(left to right) Norm Manly (Service Officer), Craig Pittson, Jim Young, Brian Strausbaugh (Vice Commander), and Clyde McCullough (Commander) of Manson American Legion Post 108, preparing to present the colors. Post 108 was invited to be part of the North Shore Bible Church “in your car” service on Sunday, 24 May. Guest speaker Jeff Conwell, KOZI Radio Program Director and Manson Chamber of Commerce Board Member, spoke about the importance of Memorial Day before introducing Post 108. The group presented the colors in front of the stage while Taps played, followed by 30 seconds of silence.
Photo courtesy Kenny Dexter, Facebook
Volunteers from American Legion Post 157 in Electric City decorating the local cemetery, although there was no public ceremony. Normally there are about 600 flags lining the roadway – this year, they were limited to 40. Over 200 flags were placed on gravesites.
Photo: Mike Maltais, Quad City Herald
This crew of volunteers (right) observed Armed Forces Day on May 16 by serving curbside Philly steak sandwiches to call-in customers at the Columbia Post 97 American Legion. From left: Julie Melvin, Margi Allen, Jackie Holt, Ashur Woodland, Jason Woodland, Wesley Frisk, Verek Woodland, and Andi Frisk. They prepared & delivered 76 Phillies with sides to a steady stream of drive-by diners.
Legion Post 97 also made sure the Brewster Cemetery was decorated to honor their veterans for Memorial Day.
Photo: American Legion Post 97 Facebook page
While I don’t have photos for them all, I did hear that groups all across the region adhered to personal health and safety guidelines while honoring our veterans by marking graves with flags in the various cemeteries. Hopefully we can return to normal ceremonies for 2021.
