Memorial Day Events in Sedalia to Honor Military

Here's a look at some of the local ways people are celebrating Memorial Day. 

Saturday, May 25 is the annual placing of flags on graves of veterans beginning at 6:30 a.m. The public is invited to assist as their help is needed. The cemeteries are Crown Hill, Memorial Gardens and Highland Gardens. A free breakfast compliments of the 40 & 8 will be served to those who helped decorate the graves and will be held at the American Legion Post 642 on West Main St.

Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day, a day set aside annually to honor our fallen heroes from all wars. The 40 & 8 is responsible this year for the Memorial Service at Crown Hill Cemetery which begins at 10 AM. The four local veteran organizations rotate each year being responsible for the service.

The principal speaker at this year’s Memorial Service will be Attorney Richard Beard who served in Vietnam and is the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with 3rd Oak Leaf Custer. and the Purple Heart.

Following the Memorial Service, there will be a flag retirement ceremony held at the pavilion located on the north side of Liberty Park. Anyone with a torn or faded flag is welcome to bring the flag to the park. Over 200 flags will be cremated beginning at 11:30. This special, respectful ceremony is conducted annually by the 40 & 8.

Following the flag retirement ceremony, the annual family picnic will begin around noon in the same pavilion. The picnic is the yearly fund raising event of the 40 & 8. Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 8. The menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, soft drinks and desserts. Funds raised are used for the various 40 & 8 and community projects of the organization. The public is invited.

The Annual Memorial Day Service in Sedalia will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery on May 27 at 10 a.m.  The Guest speaker will be Mr Richard Beard, combat veteran who served as an infantry platoon leader with the 173rd Airbourne Brigade in the Vietnam War.  The American Legion Post #642 Color Guard and the Smith Cotton Junior ROTC will be conducting the military honors during the observance.

For more information, call Commander Gallagher at 287-3812.