Decked in patriotic attire, Russ Chandler sang two songs during the Memorial Day service in North Webster Cemetery.

By Tim Ashley
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER – On a day that felt more like early April than the last day of May with the temperature in the low 60s, North Webster’s Memorial Day parade returned after not being held in 2020 due to the pandemic.

A short parade along Main Street (SR 13) of only a few minutes in the late morning consisted of police cars, fire trucks, American Legion Post 253, the Wawasee Middle School Marching Band and the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. A few minutes later, a large crowd gathered for the Legion’s Memorial Day service. The service consisted of the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Boy Scouts, the “Star Spangled Banner” performed by the WMS band, the placing of the symbolic wreath to honor fallen veterans, Russ Chandler singing “Some Gave All” and later “God Bless the USA,” and the playing of taps by the WMS band.

Rev. William Whitaker of Warsaw was the guest speaker and said Memorial Day “is a very expensive holiday” and many sacrifices have been made to preserve freedom. He said the holiday “is not simply a barbecue” or a day off, but is a day of remembering those who gave their life while serving in the military.

He said Memorial Day should be a time of unity “and for Americans to stand up as one body and say thank you.”

Whitaker said he was pleased to see the size of the crowd present for the service. “Don’t forget what Memorial Day stands for,” he told the audience.

He encouraged to everyone to reflect on the freedoms they have. “Sometimes we forget that,” he noted.

Names of those who had served in the military and are now deceased were read aloud and there was also a gun salute from the American Legion Color Guard.