A moving Memorial Day ceremony drew a full house at American Legion Post 7 in Chapala on May 28. The event was replete with appropriate music, poetry and patriotism, embellished with the requisite “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes by Ronald Barnett.
The colors presented at the event were flags from the United States (Stephen Stallo of Post 7), Mexico (Joe Ramos, Post 7), Canada (Will Welimer), Great Britain (Richard Horne, Post 7), The American Legion (Gary Fuller, Post 7), Ladies Auxiliary (Jamie Keehnen) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (Sandra Loridans).
Those gathered stood for the national anthems of Mexico, the United States, Canada and Great Britain.
“A Soldier Died Today” (author unknown) was read by Tim Stern, commander of the Department of Mexico. “Remember” by Ryan Skewes was read by June Matthews, regent of the Thomas Paine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Sam Corbeil, president of the Royal Canadian Legion read the iconic “In Flanders Fields.”
Vince Britton, commander of American Legion Post 9 and Al Roseman, 2nd vice commander of Post Seven shared the honors of the Memorial Day speech, reminding us all of those brave souls who personified courage and gave all for the freedom in which they believed.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began with local observances in small towns shortly after the Civil War. It was declared an official holiday by General John Logan in 1868 and was observed as a memorial specifically to those who died in the Civil War, until World War I, when it became a day of remembrance for all of those who died in the service of their country.