American Legion’s Memorial Day ceremony set for May 29
MADISON – Madison American Legion, Post 229 members will conduct a reverent remembrance on May 29 at their annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Opening at 11 a.m., the event will show respect for individuals who lost their lives in military service. The ceremony will be held in Captain Jesse Ollie Wikle Jr. Veterans Memorial Park at the east extent of Front Street downtown.
Legionnaires are inviting all residents to attend.
After Presenting of the Colors, a local vocalist will sing “The National Anthem.” Everyone will repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
Andrew Caudle, Chaplain of American Legion, Post 229 will give the invocation. Terry Frakes, Vice President of Auxiliary Unit 229, will read “In Flanders Field,” a war poem that a Canadian doctor wrote during World War I.
Following opening remarks, guest speaker Maj. Gen. (ret.) Emile P. Bataille will address the audience. Bataille was commissioned by ROTC in 1970 at Loyola University in Chicago.
In 1971, Bataille was assigned to the 4th Mechanized ID and later served with 4th Missile Command in Korea. He transferred to Army Reserves in 1972.
Bataille’s service included assignments as Assistant Inspector General for the 86th USAR Command and as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General. He successfully led a company command in 314th Army Security Agency Battalion and a Battalion Command in 85th Custer Division.
In August 2001, Bataille was called to active duty and assigned to U.S. Strategic Command as Director for Combat Support/J6-J4 at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb.
Bataille retired from Active Duty in August 2004 after 34 years in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve and Illinois National Guard. He is a founding member of Coming Home Retreats, now offered in Huntsville. Bataille is a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison.
He and his wife, Carol Martindale Bataille, have three daughters — Stacy, Shannon and Shelley — nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
After Bataille’s presentation, Mayor Paul Finley and District 2 Commissioner Steve Haraway will speak. Madison Community Band will perform “The National Anthem.” Leaders will complete the Posting of the Wreaths.
Boy Scouts and Knights of Columbus will oversee Raising of the Colors. Post 229 Command Larry Vannoy will speak at the ceremony’s ending.
Post 229 expressed a special thank-you to Madison Community Band, Post 229 Honor Guard, Girl Scout Troop 926, Scout Troop 201, Knights of Columbus and Haraway.
For more information, visit americanlegionpost229.org.
