Memorial Day event includes monument dedication, music

MADISON –In observance of Memorial Day, American Legion, Post 229 of Madison is preparing to post flags and conduct its annual Memorial Day Ceremony.

“American Legion, Post 229 invites the Madison community to come out and participate in placing flags of our fallen veterans’ gravesites in the city’s three cemeteries,” Madison Commander Carlos F. Woods said.

Volunteers should meet on May 20 at 10 a.m. at Madison Memory Garden Cemetery, north of City Hall on Hughes Road. “Come out, one and all, and give us a hand,” Woods said.

The next event, the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29 will start at 11 a.m. and will include rededication of the new monument at Madison City Veteran Park, located on Front Street at the intersection with Church Street.

Madison Community Band will open the ceremony with patriotic marches. The Junior ROTC Color Guard of Bob Jones High School will post the colors.

Rocket City / Southern Splendor Chorus will sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” All guests will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Dewey Cockman with Post 229 will give the invocation.

James Vance, Post 299 1st Vice Commander, will welcome guests. For the monument dedication, Vance will give the history of the park’s commemorative monument; the existing monument had damage to its stucco sections. Dignitaries and Post 229 officers will unveil the new monument.

The chorus will present “God Bless the USA” and “Armed Forces Medley” of service songs. Veterans in the audience are encouraged to stand and sing lyrics to their service anthem.

Legionnaire Cherish Croft will present “In Flanders Fields.” Accompanied by Madison Community Band, Lawrence Frakes will recite “Duty, Honor, Country.” Following comments from Mayor Paul Finley, Madison Community Band will play “America the Beautiful.”

Featured speaker State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw will address the crowd. Holtzclaw and Finley will then post the wreath. The band will present its rendition of “Taps.” Following remarks from Woods, Bob Jones JROTC will retire the colors.

The band’s final charts will be “Carlisle March” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Vance will offer closing remarks.

“The event has grown tremendously over the last several years. We’d like to see a great turnout again this year,” Legionnaire Ralph Cobb said.

For more information, call 256-508-6548 or email woodscarlos12@gmail.com.