Lest we forget

By Editor | May 31, 2023 |

Photo by Christy Porter
Veteran Greg Berglund prepares to offer a prayer with Veterans Harry Brevoort, Aaron Hall, Billie Krewson and Ed Folger at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor

U.S. military personnel who died in the active service of our country were honored, remembered and mourned on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. Veterans and the auxiliary from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Licking Post #6337 held a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Memorial for the Fallen. Veterans, members of the families and community joined them in the tribute.

Photo by Christy Porter
Participants for the Memorial Day Ceremony from VFW Post #6337 are from left, Auxiliary Sr. Vice President Joan Brannam, Veterans Charles Hayes, Jr. Vice President Virgil Zeller, Jerry Snyder, Chaplain Ed Folger, Ron Ice, Auxiliary President Tina Sisco, Quartermaster Harry Brevoort, Commander Billie Krewson, Aaron Hall, Kyle Hale and John Whelan.

Post Commander Billie Krewson began the ceremony with the Reading of the Orders.

Remembrances were placed with solemnity at the memorial underneath the American Flag, POW/MIA, State of Missouri and City of Licking flags.

The Licking Memorial for the Fallen reads, “We the people of the community of Licking dedicate this memorial to our brave men and women who, not only honorably served our great nation, but also gave the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may enjoy the rights and freedom we have today. – 30 May 2015”

Veteran Aaron Hall placed the Wreath of Remembrance for those who fought; Quartermaster Harry Brevoort placed the white carnation, an emblem of purity; Chaplain Ed Folger placed the red carnation, an emblem of devotion and everlasting remembrance; Auxiliary President Tina Sisco placed the blue carnation, an emblem of eternity; and Post Commander Billie Krewson placed the American Flag, the emblem of our nation.

A three volley salute was given by Veterans Kyle Hale, Jerry Snyder and Ron Ice, followed by Bugler John Whelan, with Jr. Vice Commander Virgil Zeller, sounding “Taps.”

Greg Berglund concluded the Memorial Day Ceremony with prayer.

National observance of Memorial Day began on May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day, to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. After World War I, the day’s observance was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. It was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971, at which time it was also placed on the last Monday in May.

Memorial bricks at the Memorial for the Fallen are available for purchase. You may honor your veteran(s), living or deceased, with three engraved lines, 14 letters, for $60 each. Donations are also welcomed for the maintenance of the memorial to Licking Downtown, Inc. Please call 573-674-2547 for more information.