By 1808Delaware
Delaware residents will gather on Monday, May 25, for a Memorial Day observance honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM at the Veterans West area on the west end of Oak Grove Cemetery. It will be hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1095, also known as Vietnam Veterans of Delaware County.
Music, Procession, And Community Participation
The morning will begin before the formal ceremony, with the Delaware Community Concert Band performing patriotic selections from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. The band will also provide additional music during the observance.
Community members are invited to take part in a procession from the front entrance of Oak Grove Cemetery to the Veterans West area. Participants should gather at the main entrance around 9:00 AM. The procession will include Stockhands Horses for Healing, which will also provide a wagon for those who wish to ride rather than walk.
A Day Set Aside To Honor Sacrifice
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who died while serving in the nation’s armed forces, particularly during wartime and combat operations. The Delaware ceremony is open to the general public, veterans, surviving spouses, and families. The observance will include several traditional elements of remembrance, from music and spoken words to military honors.
Featured Participants
Delaware Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle will serve as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Randy Turner will lead the singing of the National Anthem and “God Bless America,” while David Hejmanowski will present Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Rick Helwig will lead the cannon firing. The Chapter Honor Guard Unit will perform a rifle volley, the sounding of Taps, and a formal folding and presentation of the U.S. flag.
A Community Moment
For those attending, the morning offers a chance not only to mark a national holiday, but to do so in the company of neighbors, veterans, and families who understand the meaning behind it. The ceremony is intended as a shared act of remembrance and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For more information, contact Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1095 in Delaware at 740-815-0929 or hbwolford@gmail.com
