Services were held at the Cass Cemetery north of Webster City, at the Marshall Crippen Memorial Bridge at the Boulevard of Valor and at Graceland Cemetery, organized by American Legion Post 191.

Additional services were held in surrounding communities. The Williams Legion Post 633 organized events at two Williams cemeteries and the Blairsburg Cemetery.

In Webster City, the American Legion Post 191 organized the Memorial Day Parade which began around 10:30 a.m.

This is one of the most thought-provoking and inspiring tributes held each year to honor the men and women who have served our country in the military over the last 250 years. It is estimated that between 200 and 250 people attend the events held at the Boulevard of Valor and the Graceland Cemetery.

Freeman-Journal photo by Patrick Coons
Below:: The American Post 191 Honor Guard fires their weapons in honor of those who have died. Members of this guard are Tom Austin, Honor Guard Commander, Steve Struchen on bugle, Danny Lee, Jim Henning, Dave Gordon, Chad Davis, Roger Garvey, Troy Duffy and Russ Naden.

The parade was led by color guard members: Tom Austin, who carried the American flag; Troy Duffy, the state of Iowa flag; Danny Lee, the American Legion flag; and Chad Davis, POW flag.

The oldest veteran in the parade was Lee Ayers, who is 97 years old. He followed the color guard members in a 1962 Jeep, painted brilliant blue. The truck, owned at one time by former commander Randy Youngdale, has been used in the parade for several years.

Members of the Webster City High School band, the Scouts, and other veterans were also part of the parade, which traveled from the north Des Moines Street alley to the Boulevard of Valor. Leah Maass, of the American Legion Auxiliary read the names of active servicemen who have a connection to Hamilton County.

The parade ended at the Graceland Cemetery, where Commander Matt Runnels of the American Legion Post 191 opened the service. Bruce Johnston, chaplain, led the service in prayer. Jenny Manning of the American Legion Auxiliary read the names of those who had passed away during the past year.

The Webster City High School band performed “The Star Spangled Banner” in addition to a medley of military songs representing each branch of the service.

Freeman-Journal photo by Patrick Coons
Commander Matt McRunnel, above, salutes the flag during the Memorial Day services Monday.

Richard Stroner gave the keynote address, reading the poem “Come Visit My Grave,” written by Jim Rolfs, an American Legion member from LeMars.