Staff writer
A quiet, gray day was the scene of the annual Memorial Day Avenue of Flags ceremony Monday at Marion Cemetery.
Those in attendance stood solemn, remembering and honoring those they knew — or didn’t know — who served their country, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.
With rain threatening, attendance was down from previous years. A crowd of 60 gathered around the cemetery’s Civil War Memorial.
American Legion post commander Richard Soyez led the service.
Jeff Lee, pastor for Florence and Aulne United Methodist churches, gave a message of patriotism.
Soyez read excerpts of a poem by Charles M. Province, titled “It Is the Soldier:”
“It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.”
Those gathered sung “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A color guard stood by and, after a playing of “Taps,” fired three volleys at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Rosse Case, who recently moved to the Kansas City area with his wife, Janice, was honored for 70 years of service to the Marion American Legion post. Casey Case, his nephew, accepted the award on his behalf.
Marion Kiwanis Club served doughnuts and refreshments at Marion Elementary School after the ceremony, and VFW Post 6958 offered a pork lunch.