By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
The American Legion in Chester will host the Annual Memorial Day Service for the community. The event will take place Memorial Day, Monday May 30th at 11:00 A.M. at the Chester American Legion Post 487.
Lee and Farida Hollaway of the Chester American Legion Post 487 stand beside the “Memorial Tree” they created to remember the fallen veterans from Chester. The Hollaway’s invite community members to drop by the Legion Club Room to prepare a card to remember veterans related to them.
The “Memorial Tree” is located right inside the main doors of the building in the lobby area. The tree sits on a table complete with cardboard cards, markers and poppies.
Guests are encouraged to write the name of the deceased veteran (s) to be memorialized and include the branch of service in which her or she served and the era in which the deceased served.
Once complete, the card should be attached to the “Memorial Tree with a poppy. Those who wish to wait until the Memorial Day Service to take part in this tribute can do so.
Otherwise, guests are welcome to come to the American Legion during regular business hours to complete and attach the card. Jim Beers Photo
Organizers have titled the event, “Memorial Day: Remember and Honor, Dedicated to the Fallen”. The program will begin with a welcome from the Commander of the American Legion Post 487, Randy Werner.
The Chester High School Band will then perform, “The National Anthem”, after which Chaplain Rev. “Bud” Lawless of the Randolph County Marine Corps League, Detachment will give the Invocation.
Commander Randy Werner of the American Legion and Dale Volle, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 3553 in Chester, will conduct the Wreath Placement Ceremony. Along with this ceremony the CHS Band will play, “Ashoken Farewell”.
Dale Volle will then give remarks along with Chester Mayor, Tom Page. Immediately following their remarks, the Chester High School Band will perform, “Armed Forces Medley” to recognize and honor members of the various armed forces in attendance.
Guest speaker for the event will be Shane Wagner, a local author and historian. Following Wagner’s presentation, there be the “Annual Roll Call of Departed Veterans” including veterans that have departed from June 2019 to May of 2022.
The combined American Legion and VFW Color Guard will then conduct the traditional, “Salute to Our Departed Veterans”, followed by the playing of “Taps” by Luke Miller, Chester High School graduating senior.
Chaplain Rev. Lawless will conclude the ceremony with a Benediction after which the CHS Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, will perform, “America the Beautiful” and “National Emblem March”.