Memorial Day theme; 'Because They Gave'
Chaplain
American Legion Post 55
Monday, May 27, American Legion Boundary Post 55 will host the annual Boundary County Memorial Day Parade. This year's parade theme is "Because They Gave."
The event begins at precisely 10 a.m. All parade entrants are asked to be at the County Fairgrounds parking lot between 9 and 9:30 a.m. It is very important to arrive early to navigate the "organized mayhem" of the staging area.
The procession will travel from the Fairgrounds to Bonner Street and then south on Main Street to Arizona Street.
At that point, motorized units may exit the parade and make their way to Highway 95.
Walking units may return to the fairgrounds via Arizona Street to Railroad Street, then onto Third Street.
The American Legion would like to remind all veterans that this parade is in your honor and you are strongly encouraged to participate. There will be a ride for those veterans unable to make the long walk.
Please come and share your love of America with your community.
The American Legion will again sponsor a Memorial Day Service at Grandview Cemetery.
This event traditionally begins as soon as all participants can make their way up to Grandview following the parade. This year's guest speaker is U.S. Navy (Retired) Captain Len LeSchack.
The program includes presentations by Distinguished Young Woman Anika Blackmore, the Boy Scouts and local musicians.
U.S. Marine Lt. Colonel (Retired) Tim Wilson will preside as Master of Ceremonies.
At 5 p.m. Friday, May 24, the American Legion will be decorating all veterans' graves at Grandview Cemetery with small flags. Any citizen who would like to take part in that honor is cordially invited to attend. Veterans are especially encouraged to help with that flag placement.
Traditionally, many young people assist us and this provides a terrific venue in which to enlighten our youth about the important roles veterans have played in Boundary County.
As a note of interest to the community, twelve flags are placed around the base of the large flag pole in Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Day morning. Those flags, along with the large flag, represent the original 13 colonies in America.
There is also a special POW/MIA flag flying there, "just so we do not forget."
Each of the flags placed around the base of the tall flag pole in Veterans Memorial Park, as well as the large flags that grace Grandview Cemetery on Veterans Day, once draped the casket of a Boundary County veteran and has been donated by their family to the American Legion.
One flag is from a World War I veteran and bears 48 stars.
Anyone with questions regarding the parade, please feel free to call either Commander Terry Spence at (208) 304-2910 or Chaplain Mike Ashby at (208) 267-5135.