Memorial Day service touches emotions of many

With the final notes of "Taps" hanging in the cool morning air, a soldier salutes the colors at the Le Mars Memorial Day Ceremony, honoring the memory of those that have also served our nation. [Click to enlarge]

Sunshine broke through the clouds Monday morning as the names of 1,023 veterans whose flags are displayed at the Avenue of Flags were read at the Le Mars Memorial Day service at the Plymouth County Courthouse. Thirty-eight new flags were presented during the service bringing the total flags in the Avenue of Flags to 1,061.

Those remembered with new flags presented by family members are John "Burt" Anderson, Robert L. Anderson, John D. Billings, Donald Bohlken, Robert D. Bridgford, John L. Conover, Garry Dirks, Francis D. Donlin, W. Burton Dull, James V. Feller, Lawrence J. Feller, Leo J. Freking, Ronald R. Geiger, Edna Groetken, Loren W. Hanno, Lawrence Jenkins, Leonard Klemme, Marvin Kolbeck, Marvin Kots, Richard Laughton, Mark John Meis, George Milbrodt, Larry Miller, Jerry Nelson, Elmer Nemmers, Cyril A. Ortmann, George A. Pavlik, Robert Pratt, Randall R. Renken, Charles D. Rieke, Al Schenkelberg, Orville Schuster, Daniel L. Sesker, John Trobaugh, George F. Vander Tuig, Edward H. Wilhelmi, Robert W. Williams Sr. and John L. Winterringer.

The 38 flags exceeded any other year's presentation, according to Tom Baack, Adjutant for Wasmer Post #241. Past year's presentations were, 1998 - 18; 1999 - 18; 2000 - 22; 2001 - 23; 2002 - 27; 2003 - 34; 2004 - 28; 2005 - 29 and 2006 - 26.

American Legion member Patrick Murphy read the list of names, accompanied by music from the Le Mars Municipal Band.

Six Legionnaires were recognized for achieving 60 years of continuous membership in the American Legion. Attending Monday's ceremony were Donald Hunstad, Kenneth Lubben and Donald Rollinger. Unable to attend were Richard Hentges and Robert Roseberry. The certificate for Mark Meis, who died April 23, 2007, was presented to his family prior to his funeral.

Remembrances from "What I'll Be Doing for Memorial Day" by Vietnam veteran James E. Leiker were read from 12 local Vietnam era veterans.

"It was an emotional project for our readers," said Tom Baack, one of the readers. The others were Wayne Thieman, Larry Baer, Wayne Schipper, George Engebretson, Larry Ruchti, Bob Gengler, Earl Draayer, Bob Helwig, Rocky Bunjes, Terry Durr and Tom Fischer. Patricia Bottjen assisted the group with background music and editing.

The resulting recording put feelings with words and defined Memorial Day, according to Baack.