The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Becky Smith, The Quill
The La Harpe Community held their annual Memorial Day Service at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2019. A brief rain shower passed through the area around 9:30 a.m. so the event was moved to the community club house. A nice crowd attended the following program:
Welcome- American Legion Auxiliary #301 - Joan Siegworth, Pres.
Presentation of Colors - American Legion Post #301
Jr. High Band - "Star Spangled Banner", -Stephanie Mencel, Director
Opening Prayer - Lee Unger, -Methodist Church Minister
Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Boy Scouts
Memorial Day Poem - Mike Hrabel, Agape Church Minister
Jr. High Choir - "Give My Regards to George M. Cohen", Stephanie Mencel, Director
Remarks - Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed
Speaker - Ty Huston - Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran
Recognition of all Veterans - Darrell Kraft Recognition of
Gold Star & Blue Star Mothers - Harry Fark, Legion Post #301
Commander
Special Music - Gordon Blankenship,
La Moine Camp Manager
Jr. High Band-"See the Conquering Hero Comes", Stephanie Mencel, Director
Closing Prayer - Bruce Goettsche, Union Church Minister
Retiring of Colors - American Legion Post #301
Twenty-One Gun Salute - American Legion Post #301
Taps - American Legion Post #301
La Harpe Mayor Hasten-Reed gave the following remarks:
":to the Spangler family, to the James family, and to the Palmer family..we are forever grateful and humbled by what these men have given.
"Their names will live on, their stories will live on, and their courage, their honor, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Though none of them would probably have enjoyed the title, these men are those I consider a hero.
"As you gather with family and friends, let us remember the meaning of today. It's not about barb-b-que's , it's not about opening the pool, and it's not about having the day off.
"It is to honor and remember the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country, for our rights, for our safety and for our freedom. Memorial Day, today, is for them."
In conclusion, Mayor Hasten-Reed stated "as a community may we all remember the fallen and never forget that without them, without our veterans and without our active military our lives could be so much different. May God bless La Harpe and God Bless America."
Ty Huston, Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran, giving remarks
-photo by Tanner Smith
City of La Harpe Mayor Katherine Hasten-Reed giving remarks
-photo by Tanner Smith