Rain forces La Cygne Memorial Day event to backup plan

Color guard members Richard Teagarden, Bill Marchand, Bob Burnett, Ron Price, MIke Hansuld and Jim Farris respectfully walk the flags down the aisle at the Calvary Baptist Church in La Cygne on Memorial Day Monday, May 26.

Photo essay by Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

Holding Memorial Day services wasn't easy over the soggy three-day we, Mound City organizers scrambled to hold the ceremony at an alternative site, and still other ceremonies just got wet. La Cygne had a backup plan: Calvary Baptist Church. With help from pastors of the La Cygne Christian Church and the La Cygne United Methodist Church the ceremony usually reserved for Oaklawn Cemetery was squeezed into the church's sanctuary. Lunch was served in the La Cygne Christian Church following the ceremony.

James Beltz performs a solo while accompanying himself on guitar. At the end of the ceremony, he would lead those gathered in "God Bless America."

Sgt. Dalton Sylva, formerly with the U.S. Space Force stationed in Colorado, was the guest speaker.

Air Force veteran Jim Farris talks briefly about his service in the U.S. Air Force. Nearly 20 veterans were introduced and given a chance to briefly explain what their service had meant to them.

U.S. Navy veteran Bill Marchand drops a rolled up white stripe from a U.S. flag into a bucket during the Veterans of Foreign Wars flag retirement ceremony. George Nunnemacher conducted the ceremony, and he noted that if the retirement ceremony was held outside during dry conditions, the bucket would be hot fire.

Veterans of Foreign Wars member Roy Wade returns to his seat after participating in the flag retirement ceremony. Wade was the oldest veteran at the event.

Judy Weir joins the rest of those in attendance to sing a heartfelt "God Bless America."

Mitch Clark, along with his son Levi, plays the haunting "Echo Taps" to end the ceremony.