Annual Prescott Memorial Day service honors veteran

The family of the late Irvin Endecott gathers for a photo at the ceremony. A plaque honoring Endecott's service will hang in the Prescott City Hall. (Submitted photo)

Reporting by Raquel Beltz

Special to the Journal

PRESCOTT – Area residents and family members gathered at Prescott City Hall on Saturday , May 23, for the Prescott Memorial Day Service of Remembrance that is held every year.

James and Raquel Beltz coordinate the service each year, and Raquel presided over the event. Darrell Bloomfield, who is a pastor and a veteran offered the invocation and benediction. 

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A clip from James Beltz's performance of "Some Gave All." (Submitted)

The members of the American Legion Hewitt-New Post No. 248 in Mound City acted as color guard and shot the gun salute.

National Anthem, "Some Gave All," and "Taps" were performed by James Beltz.

Sheryl Wallace, daughter of Irvin Endecott, receives a plaque honoring her father's service from Raquel Beltz during the ceremony. (Submitted photo)

The honoree at this year's service was Irvin R. Endecott, who was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Endecott was on the tarmac ready to ship out into battle when the pilot of the transport plane looked down and told him that the war was over. The family accepted a plaque on his behalf that will hang on the Wall of Honor in city hall.

A community luncheon was held following the service. This is an annual event always held on the Saturday at the beginning of Memorial Day weekend. The public is invited to attend the service and luncheon. Side dishes and desserts are welcomed, but never required.

The "Missing Man Table" was on display at the ceremony. Meant to remember those who were killed or missing in battle, the table includes salt as a symbol of tears shed by the soldier's family, lemon to symbolize the bitterness of fate, and an upside down glass to remind viewers that the missing soldier won't be dining with us. (Submitted photo)