Lenox American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion Parkinson Post 50 conducted Memorial Day services on Monday, May 25.
Linda Weever wel-comed everyone and talked about the history of the legion and auxiliary. Tim Maxa gave the invocation.
LaraLynn England, Moserrrat Perez and Greenly Ramsey sang the National Anthem and O America, and led the audience in singing America the Beautiful.
Linda Christensen talked about Auxiliary projects. They placed flags on 499 veterans graves and 128 auxiliary graves for a total of 627 flags. They will host the Blood Drive on June 25 and talked about the veterans project that Timothy Adams is doing with putting together a book of Taylor County Veterans. The auxiliary started repairing cemetery stones in Platte Township in 2020 and, so far, have completed 25 stones at a cost of $17,375. Money has been raised through donations, veterans upkeep funds, and fundraisers. They also have a program called Flag A Yard where they will place flags in a veteran’s yard for $20.
Quilts of Valor were presented to Mike Halligan and Rick Nelson.
Mike served in the United States Air Force for four years and 21 days. He entered the service on January 23, 1969. He attained the rank of Sergeant serving the United States military at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He worked as an aircraft mechanic. He received the National Defense Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 9, 1973.
Rick served in the Army National Guard for eight years. He entered service on June 30, 1966 and was a Staff Sergeant with Company A of the 168th Infantry from Corning. His MOS was an A11 Bravo, a light Weapons Infantry Man. He received an Expert Badge with the M16 rifle. He was honorable relieved of duty on June 29, 1974.
The service concluded at the cemetery with the American Legion giving the 21-gun salute.
Members of the Legion conclude the Memorial Day services with the 21-gun salute.
Quilts of Valor recipients were, from left, Rick Nelson and Mike Halligan.
Greenly Ramsey, Monserrat Perez, and LaraLynn England lead the audience in America the Beautiful at Monday’s Memorial Day service.