Leon Werner plays taps on Monday at Eastside Memorial Park's Memorial Day observance.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Around 150 people turned out at Eastside Memorial Park on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
Vietnam veteran Tom Spencer described his service at the Memorial Day celebration
“I was in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of ’68,” he said. “I drove a truck hauling fuel. I was in 13 different ambushes. I have in my hand a list of all of the drivers who were killed in Vietnam. Between these guys along with those from my high school, I have eight on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.”
U.S. Air Force Veteran Darrol Brown told members of the crowd he remembered when the holiday was still Decoration Day.
“I remember mom getting us up and taking us down to the cemetery, and going downtown to watch the parade,” he said.
Brown recited the history of Decoration or Memorial Day, which was first observed in 1868 when Union Gen. Joshua Logan issued a general order. It would be five years before New York officially designated May 30 as Decoration Day and by 1890 most northern states followed suit.
Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1967 and four years later its observation was moved to the last Monday in May.
“I have several friends that are somewhere around the world, including the name of a man on a bracelet I wear every day, who never made it home,” Brown said. “My friend lies over there, so this is truly a very memorable day for me.”
The Battle Born Mounted Posse presented flags to “Star-Spangled Banner,” while the Vietnam Veterans of America escorted the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance.
