This community’s annual Memorial Day service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, May 25, at Edith Ford Cemetery. As is traditional, the service will be conducted by the local American Legion Post 56. 

Though conducted by members of Post 56, this is a communitywide event that could not take place without local volunteers. The focus of the volunteer effort is flag placement and removal at each veteran’s grave.

Individual flags will be placed at the Edith Ford Cemetery starting on Sunday, May 24, beginning at 1:30 pm. The flags will be removed at 5 pm on Monday, May 25.

Members of Post 56 will hold a rehearsal prior to Monday’s ceremony in the courthouse parking lot beginning at 9 am. Uniform dress will be a Post 56 baseball cap (extra hats will be available), black polo shirt and tan pants. The primary focus of the practice is Manual of Arms with the Springfield rifle, and practice of the firing sequence.

The Miami American Legion Post has been invited to attend and—if desired—to help with the ceremony. It is not necessary to be a member of the Post to participate in the service. All veterans are encouraged to attend and to assist in honoring our fallen comrades.

For further information or questions, please contact Post 56 Adjutant John McGarr at 806.323.2567.

Memorial Day is observed each year on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, the tradition began in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Locally, the scope of Memorial Day has expanded. It has become customary to remember and honor any veteran who has died and who had a connection to Hemphill County.

PHOTOS BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN FROM THE CANADIAN RECORD ARCHIVES