Memorial Day programs in Southern Utah

Image, St. George News

SOUTHERN UTAH — Whether moved by the words of a poet, the command of a general, the proclamation of a president or the wave of Old Glory, a nation pauses once a year to reflect, to cry, to praise and to honor those who have died for the country and its people.

Poet Joseph Rodman Drake wrote:

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.

Gen. George S. Patton said:

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

Programs and services in Southern Utah welcoming the public to gather for ceremony and remembrance Monday include the following: 

St. George – 7:30 a.m. (prelude) | 8 a.m. program

American Legion SunRiver Post No. 142 will host the annual Memorial Day Program at the SunRiver Veterans Honor Park, SunRiver St. George, Big River Drive (off SunRiver Drive), with a number of participating organizations, including: Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1270; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #961; Knights of Columbus; Patriot Guard Riders of Southern Utah; and Daughters of the American Revolution.  

At 7:30 a.m. a flute performance by Hopi Paiute and former Marine Tim Rogers will give prelude to the program that begins at 8 a.m.

An example of a commemorative brick used in the Veterans Honor Park, SunRiver St. George, St. George, Utah | St. George News
This 2011 file photo shows an example of a commemorative brick used in the Veterans Honor Park, SunRiver St. George, St. George, Utah | St. George News

Tom Cover will serve as master of ceremonies with special participants: John Mayer on bagpipes, Carl Berger with poems, Ginger Hilke singing the National Anthem and Calvary Chapel Pastor and former Marine Rick Nerud.

Seating will be limited. SunRiver requests guests bring their own folding chairs.

One way that family, friends, and those in military service may commemorate a soldier is by purchasing a special brick upon which the person’s name will be engraved. Once engraved, the brick will be placed in the park along with numerous others. The cost of each brick will be reduced $30 to $200 each from May 30 through June.

Hurricane – 8 a.m. service

A sunrise Memorial Day service will take place in the Hurricane City Cemetery, 225 E. 600 North, beginning at 8 a.m.

A free breakfast will take place following the service at the American Legion’s Sterling Rusell Post 100, 730 N. 200 West.

St. George – 10 a.m. service

American Legion Lester Keate Post 90 will hold a Memorial Day Service at the St. George Cemetery, 700 E. Tabernacle St.

Cedar City – 10 a.m. program

A Memorial Day Recognition and Veterans Memorial Service will be held at the Cedar City Cemetery, 745 North Main St., at 10 a.m. The service will include a piper drum and bagpipe band, military salute, flag raising and lowering, and a short talk by an honored veteran.

Parowan – 10 a.m. program

A Memorial Day Program will be held at the Parowan City Cemetery, off Center Street, at 10 a.m.

Washington City – 10 a.m. program

Washington American Legion Post No. 912 and Auxiliary will host a Memorial Day presentation at 10 a.m. in Veterans Park at 75 E. Telegraph St.

The Legion will be distributing poppies at the Washington Wal-Mart and Lin’s Fresh Market on East Mall Drive in St. George over the weekend.

Ivins  – 2 p.m. program

A Memorial Day program will be held at the Southern Utah Veterans Home, 160 N. 200 East, at 2 p.m.

Moina-Michael-Memorial Day Poppy Stamp

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

– Moina Michael

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

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1 Comment

  • Henry May 27, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    God bless our heroes that sacrificed their lives and health, in order that we and our families may live in peace and freedom. You are not forgotten.

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