By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – They “gave their last full measure of devotion” in wars and conflicts across the centuries, and veterans groups around the nation are determined to perpetuate the respect and honor they deserve this Memorial Day.

The living faithful place no expiration date on the annual ritual of planting or replacing flags and markers on veterans’ graves.

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude,” said former U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida.

The flags are a poignant and fitting reminder that, as an anonymous author wrote, “our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

Many communities include commemoration of fallen firefighters and law enforcement officers.

American Legion Post 253, 756 S. Main St., North Webster, will put up “a couple hundred” flags at four cemeteries and will conduct honor guard rifle salutes at each location on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, according to the post’s adjutant, Mark Hazelet.

The Memorial Day ceremonies will take place at the following times:

• 9 a.m., Thorn Cemetery

• 9:30 a.m., Salem Cemetery

• 10 a.m., Mock Cemetery

• 10:30 a.m., over the channel behind the post to commemorate those lost at sea.

The post will participate in the 10:45 a.m. town parade, followed by a ceremony at North Webster Cemetery at 11 a.m. and raise the American flag at noon, after which the post will host a free community hot dog cookout. The public is invited to attend all the above Memorial Day events.

Post Commander Larry Burkhart said, “Every year we stand and read off at least 50 names of members we lost in the previous year. We will read 57 this year.”

North Webster American Legion post is the largest in the state and “we are really a big family,” said Burkhart.

Hazelet welcomed donations, which can be dropped off at the post or mailed to P.O. Box 131, North Webster, IN, 46555.

There are many ways individuals, families and businesses can honor veterans this Memorial Day:

• Volunteer to lay flowers or plant flags at veterans’ graves. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, a time to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

• Donate to a local veteran’s organization to defray the costs of the flags and grave markers.

• Sponsor a thank-you wreath or bouquet through the Memorial Day Foundation, www.memorialdayfoundation.org.

• Help financially and emotionally support bereaved spouses and children of the fallen through www.uso.org or www.taps.org.

• Write a thank-you letter to a veteran, personally thank a veteran or post a tribute to a fallen hero on social media.

• Observe one minute of silence and reflection during the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31.

• Fly the American flag according to the rules of proper etiquette found at www.military.com.

• Visit a military memorial, museum or monument.

• Wear a red poppy, the widely recognized symbol for soldiers who have died in conflict.

• Volunteer time at a local veterans organization, VA hospital, USO center or homeless shelter.

• Attend a religious service to pray for the souls of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their family members, for our nation’s future and for peace throughout the world.

For more information, call the following veterans posts in Kosciusko County:

• American Legion, North Webster, (574) 834-4297

• American Legion, Pierceton, (574) 594-2531

• American Legion, Syracuse, (574) 457-3261

• American Legion, Warsaw, (574) 267-5549

• VFW, Syracuse, (574) 457-4531

• VFW, Warsaw, (574) 267-2768