MONROE — The annual Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post #84 and the Cecil Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2312 Memorial Day ceremony and procession were held Monday morning, May 26 at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe. Hundreds of local citizens attended the event.

The morning began with the raising of the Avenue of Flags leading into the cemetery. Then volunteers, Legion members and Scout troops decorated the graves of the deceased veterans buried in the cemetery.

At 9 a.m., a procession was led from Recreation Park to the cemetery, led by members of the American Legion and VFW Color Guard, which also included Poppy Princess Harper Mayer and the Monroe High School marching band.

Laverne Robieson, Commander of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post #84, began the ceremony with opening remarks, followed by VFW Chaplain Sam Zeitler’s invocation.

The guest speaker was Mike Furgal who reminded attendees to remember why Memorial Day is held — not as a day off from work, a day for commerce or to be used as the unofficial start of summer. Instead, the day is meant to honor and thank those in the service that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms of today.

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

The ceremony ended with the benediction and concluding remarks from Laverne Robieson. A potluck at the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post #84 followed later in the day.

— Adam Krebs