In Honor and Memory Of Those Who Gave All

Over 40 veterans and nearly 120 family, friends and citizens gathered at the Glasgow Civic Center on Memorial Day morning to honor those U.S. service members who gave their lives for this nation. The American Legion Post 41 hosted the event with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3107 assisting. Joe Yeomen was the master of ceremonies.

Guest speaking this year was Pam Ost – who grew up as the child of an Air Force airman during the Cold War. Ost highlighted her sometimes harrowing experiences with nuclear war threats during the Cuban Missile crisis, the experience of moving and ending up at a remote radar base in Opheim and the experience of watching her father lose friends and family during the Vietnam war in the '70s. She highlighted the need to support, remember and honor all who served in the Armed Forces, but especially those who gave their lives for this country.

Performing this Memorial Day – as they have done in years past – was the Glasgow High School Band. Over 20 high school students, directed by Dr. Brad Persinger and accompanied by Maureen Leech, performed the nations sound track by playing the "Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" and "The Armed Forces Medley." The local EQ Singers also performed musical selections that represented or invoked images of military service and sacrifice.

A tradition that will end this year, Dr. Persinger and Leonard Swenson concluded the ceremony with echoing Taps – the military's bugle-only song played during burial rights around the country when veterans are interred. Dr. Persinger is retiring from his position as band director at the high school and will be moving out of Glasgow following an 18-year career in the Bonnie City.

The American Legion Commander Rod Ost recognized the high school band for their contribution to the veterans' ceremonies over the years and they recognized Dr. Persinger with a separate award noting that he had attended and played for every Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremony over the last 18 years.

Also recognized for her contributions to veterans locally was Adeline Mitchell, who served in the Army during WWII. She has been active in organizing veterans groups like the American Legion and the VFW as well as both auxiliaries and functions for decades.

The groups were also instrumental in organizing the placement of the American flags on all veteran grave markers at the Glasgow Cemetery. The groups arrived in the early Saturday morning to place hundreds of flags – even going so far as to use lists and maps to prevent missing even one grave marker. The group, comprised of mostly veterans with help from family and a few area residents, planted the flags in less than a couple hours. The groups returned Monday afternoon to remove the flags in compliance with city's regulations concerning grave ornamentation.