Each Memorial Day, Osceola American Legion ensures the large flags at Maple Hill Cemetery are raised and conducts a ceremony honoring those deceased veterans who have served in this country’s military.
In addition, more than 800 small flags are placed at each veteran’s grave site. It is obvious a quick glance at our ranks reveals a rather mature group, at least in age, and for that reason, we depend on volunteers from the community in preparing for this event.
Our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have helped make these Memorial Day ceremonies possible.
From the great support of Osceola Sentinel-Tribune for publishing the event program and their coverage of the event itself.
To the cemetery crew who volunteer to post the small flags, and all the volunteers who join with us in raising and lowering the large flags.
We have been blessed with great speakers over the years and this year, U.J. Booth continued with that tradition.
Worthy of note are volunteers Tawny Waske, singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and Kelsi Norris playing “Taps” as they have done so for the last 10 years.
We are also indebted to George Norris for saving the day when our battery-powered speaker system decided enough was enough and went up in smoke during set up. Legionnaire Dan Hooper contacted George and rounded enough extension cords to power up his unit, allowing us to start with very little delay.
This year marked the 150th anniversary since the end of the Civil War and helping highlight that milestone was Randy Jackson, Dennis and Vicki Williams, members of the 3rd Iowa Light Artillery, and Wesley Keeler, member the 15th Iowa Volunteers. All were in period dress and the artillery unit fired a canon salute.
The efforts made by this group were greatly appreciated by the Legion, especially the transport of the cannon, which surely was no small task.
On a different subject, the Legion just completed a fund drive of our local businesses in order to pay for the repair and recoating of our building’s roof. The drive got us close to our goal, but we are still short.
To complete the financing of the roof, and hopefully, add some to our flag account, we will be holding a raffle on a Henry Silver Boy 22-rifle, beginning sometime in June. We will be selling 350 chances at $10 a chance. Additional details will be announced soon.