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Don’t forget sacrifices given for your freedoms

OSMOND — After several days of cool, wet weather, Memorial Day dawned bright and warm, perfect weather for a beautiful ceremony to honor those who served and died for our freedoms. The Osmond Memorial Day service was held at Osmond Community School on Monday, May 31, at 11 a.m.

The program began with presentation of The Colors and processional, salute to the flag and “National Anthem,” and an invocation by Rev. Carl Lilienkamp.

American Legion Post 326 Commander Dave Hamm then introduced SGT Justin T. Doerr. Doerr told the story of a young couple who was engaged and who made the decision to marry before he went off to basic training. After basic training, the couple started off their married life by moving to Ft. Bening, GA. Then the young man was deployed to Afghanistan. The young woman received letters from him, until one day the knock came at her door, and she didn’t need to see who it was before she knew, and collapsed on the floor. Her husband was gone.

Doerr said that, as our soldiers are deployed, they are aware of the risk. They know, but they go anyway. For them it is an honor to die for the United States.

He continued, “We honor the men who gave their lives selflessly so we can be free. So go home today and enjoy your freedoms, but don’t forget their sacrifices.”

SGT Doerr concluded with a quote from General George Patton: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

Following the speaker, the Osmond High School Choir gave a beautiful rendition of “In Flanders Field.” Riley Wagner then recited “Memorial Day,” followed by a reading of “We Must Remember” by Kaden Polt. The Osmond High School Band played “The Road Unknown,” and Sarah Polt then performed “My Buddy.”

Commander Hamm read the roll call of departed Legion and Auxiliary members, which now numbers close to 400, while Kendra Gardner, Alyvia Koehler and Klare Stech dropped poppies into an upturned soldier’s helmet.

The OHS band then accompanied the audience in the song, “America, The Beautiful,” followed by the benediction by Rev. Lilienkamp and the recessional.

The program then concluded on the lawn east of the school, where Junior Auxiliary members Evynn and Elliot Kumm placed a wreath on the cross of the unknown soldier. Legion members gave a firing salute, and a beautiful echoing version of “Taps” was played by Kaden Polt and Christalin Ginn.

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