WARSAW — The entertainment at the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival paused this afternoon, May 26, to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. A Memorial Day ceremony took place at Center Lake Park as part of the festival’s activities. 

“Memorial Day is a national holiday, designated as a time of remembrance of the service members that lost their lives while in the armed forces,” said Dugan Julian, Lakes Festival coordinator. “The history of this day and the intent behind it are very and incredibly somber … Today, here in Warsaw, we will honor the fallen with an invocation and a moment of silence.”

The ceremony included a special World War II fly-over by the Hooligan Flight Team. The Hooligan team was formed in the late 1990s. Current team members include Russ McDonald, Nappanee; Russ Borstleman, Napoleon, Ohio; Tom Hibiske, Battle Creek, Mich.; Rick Crepas, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Chuck Stauffer, Battle Creek, Mich.; Bill Klungle, Grand Haven, Mich.; John Workman, Muskegon, Mich. 

The team performed maneuvers including the Missing Man Formation, an aerial salute performed in honor of a fallen pilot. 

The Menzie-Reece American Legion Post 258 of Pierceton presented the colors for the ceremony and performed a 21 gun salute.

Other Memorial Day ceremonies happening around the county can be found here.

The Menzie-Reece American Legion Post 258 of Pierceton present the colors during the ceremony.

The Menzie-Reece American Legion Post 258 of Pierceton perform the 21 gun salute.

The Hooligan Flight Team flew over Center Lake for the Memorial Day Ceremony.