MONROE — Technically, summer does not start until June 21. But many people consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of the season. While celebrating with our family and friends this Memorial Day, take a moment and honor those who have served our country.  Their hard work and dedication have preserved this great country’s freedom.

Memorial Day has the word “memorial’ in it for a reason. It is to honor the men and women who died in all wars. This year, Monroe area citizens, will join the rest of the nation in honoring the fallen men and women from past wars.

The day begins at 6 a.m. Monday, May 30, with members of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 and Cecil-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2312, assisted by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, raising the Avenue of Flags, leading to Greenwood Cemetery. Following the raising of the Avenue of Flags, volunteers from the American Legion, VFW, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and members of the community will decorate the graves of our deceased veterans. The solemn task of decorating the graves of our deceased veterans dates back to a time after the Civil War and is performed whether rain or shine. 

Led by a joint Color Guard from members of the American Legion and VFW, parade units will assemble at Recreation Park at 8:30 a.m. and commence to Greenwood Cemetery at 9 a.m. A decorated float unit will be provided for veterans to ride on, if unable to march.

Upon arrival at Greenwood Cemetery, parade units will take their positions around the center flagpole and the Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The Commander of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84, Pete McGrath, will begin the ceremony with opening remarks, followed by the invocation and the performing of our National Anthem by the Monroe High School Band and the Monroe High School Chamber Choir. Monroe High School students Jack Beardmore and Mitchell Rowe will then deliver Logan’s Order and the Gettysburg Address followed by musical selections from the Monroe High School Band. 

A Memorial Day address will be delivered, followed by the placing of wreaths at the Veterans Memorial from the troop leaders of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the American Legion Poppy Princess of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No 84, followed by Sons of the American Legion Commander, Peter Blum, Zilmer Riley American Legion Post No. 84 Commander, Pete McGrath, and Auxiliary Unit President, Donna Douglas, and Cecil-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2312 Commander, Mike Furgal. 

Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 Service Officer, Jim Glessner will then read the roll call of deceased veterans of Green County, followed by rifle fire from the Honor Guard and the playing of “Taps” by a member of the Monroe High School Band. 

The ceremony will end with the benediction, and concluding remarks from the Commander of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84, Pete McGrath.  

Monroe area citizens are invited to participate in honoring the men and women who have served our country and are still fighting for our freedom. We must never forget those who have sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms that we all hold dear.

— Andrew Suthers is a member of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 and Cecil-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2312.