If you looked down the road, you could see the approaching red, white and blue colors. Veterans and Legion Auxiliary members were carrying rifles and flags as they marched down Hazel Avenue. People in the parade were making their way to the annual Memorial Day service, held at Kimball Elementary School on Monday, May 26. The service began with community members awaiting the parade arrival on the elementary school lawn. During the wait, the KAHS band played songs Upon making it to the school, one veteran stepped forward and handed over a properly wrapped American flag. It was placed on the flagpole and raised to the top before being lowered to half-mast in remembrance of all those who gave their lives while serving our country. When the flag stopped at the halfway point, the KAHS band played the “Star Spangled Banner,” while audience members sang along. The service proceeded inside where the actual service was held. Mike Olk opened the ceremony by reading a poem to the audience. “Freedom is not free,” recited Olk. He went on to challenge everyone to “renew our pledge of loyalty to our country and our flag.” Pastor Brian Begley started his message by looking back on the history of Memorial Day. He said that our nation has been celebrating Memorial Day for 131 years. He also noted that this Memorial Day was different from most because of the recent combative operations in Iraq. “We have 162 more heroes [who died in Iraqi Operations] to honor today and 162 more families to comfort,” said Begley. He reminded everyone to think about these families and the suffering that they are going through. The pastor also challenged everyone to think back and remember what these men and women gave to our country. One message emphasized throughout the ceremony was that without the dedication and commitment of servicemen and women we would not have the freedoms that we have today. Pastor Begley said, “Remember what they stood for and what they willingly died for.” He also challenged everyone by saying, “We remember the past so we can change the future.” Audience members participated in the ceremony by singing “America, the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and closed the ceremony with “America.” The colors were retired while everyone followed the procession outside for one final remembrance – Olk laid a wreath in front of the nine crosses strategically placed in three rows. Finally, veterans fired off rounds to remember our fallen heroes. At the conclusion, everyone was invited to attend a potluck luncheon held at the American Legion in downtown Kimball.
