Many sought shade during the Memorial Day ceremony at Etna Green East Cemetery.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — “Memorial Day in Etna Green. This is the day we honor those that have made the real sacrifice in their death,” stated RB Conley, master of ceremonies at the Etna Green Memorial Day Service. The service was held at noon in the Etna Green East Cemetery.

RB Conley was the master of ceremonies for the Etna Green Memorial Day service.

“We also honor those in the military who have served, We welcome you,” said Conley. He asked those present to thank the American Legion, township trustee and Todd Huffer, who takes care of the cemetery. “This is the day the Lord has made and we rejoice in it. Believe me, this weather is wonderful,” concluded Conley.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures had many of the attendees finding spots in the shade for the 15-minute ceremony.

The ceremony included a prayer by Steve Sechrist, the laying of the wreath by Dave Price, and the roll call by U.S. Air Force Msgt. Dave Clark. The program also included the National Anthem, a gun volley by members of the Bourbon American Post 424 along with members from Warsaw American Legion Post 49 honor guards, and the playing of taps.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dave Clark read the foll call of those veterans who have died.

The roll call included the names of those from Etna Green going as far back as the Civil War and forward to Operation Iraq.

During the reading of the names, Clark included the cemeteries where those veterans have been laid to rest. Those cemeteries included Etna Green Cemetery East; Etna Green Cemetery West; Stoney Point; Tippecanoe; Warsaw; Holland; Nappanee;, Harrison; Marion; South Bend; Oakwood; Albany, Ga.; and Fort Brag.

There were 57 names read from the Civil War; five from the Spanish War; one who served in World War I and World War II; 22 who served in World War 1; and 80 from World War II. There was one person who served in World War II and Korea with the names of 19 names read who served in Korea.

One name was read of a person who served in Korea and Vietnam and four serving post Korea. The list included 19 names of those who served in Vietnam, three post Vietnam, one from Dessert Storm and one from Operation Iraq.