Community remembers the fallen at VFW Memorial Day service

The atmosphere was both solemn and grateful at the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1913 Memorial Day Service in Riverside Cemetery Monday morning.

A crowd gathered to remember those who have lost their lives in service of the country in the many years of its history. Retired U.S. Army Chaplain Colonel Richard Cooper says it’s everyone’s job to remember those service men and women who came before, even if we may not even know their names.

He says services like this one and others can’t begin to repay the debt they are owed, but it keeps them alive in the memories of all.

Cooper says by remembering them, it means their deaths were not in vain.

A wreath was laid in honor of the fallen as TAPS was played in the quiet air of the cemetery. Boys scouts and citizens lined the path with flags and salutes, and decorated the graves of veterans throughout the cemetery with an American flag.