By LAAH TUCKER
American Legion Auxiliary
NATOMA - The 155th Memorial Day of Remembrance gave pause during four memorial services in Osborne County and Russell County by the Natoma American Legion “Thomas J. Hogan” Post 109 and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 109.
Above Paradise Valley, surrounded by the wind-swept prairie, families and friends gathered at three rural and one town cemeteries.
The American Legion Color Guard presented flags under the direction of Post Commander William Workman with names recited by Auxiliary Archivist Linda Crawford; flag pledge, national anthem and “God Bless America” by Auxiliary Chaplain Shawna Dunlap; Peace Lutheran Pastor Michael Schmidt’s memorial message; poppies by Camdyn Makings and Lynae Paget; and “Taps” by Bonnie Schamberger.
Beginning at the rural Natoma Catholic cemetery, WWI soldier Thomas J. Hogan was remembered for his sacrificial death shortly before the WWI Armistice. The “Thomas J. Hogan” Post 109 was named in his honor.
Services at North Immanuel Lutheran concluded with Orville Pfortmiller (93), Korean War veteran, ringing the Immanuel Lutheran Church bell. The bell monument stands on the original site of the first sod Lutheran Church in Osborne County constructed in the 1800s.
On a hill overlooking Paradise Valley, the remembrance services continued at Paradise Mount Herman Cemetery in Russell County.
The final service destination was at the Natoma City Cemetery in Osborne County where the Avenue of Flags waved in the brisk winds.
Established in 1919, the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Memorial Flower is the oldest and most widely recognized Auxiliary program. Each red crepe paper poppy is hand crafted by a Kansas Disabled Veteran with 100% of all donations providing physical and mental help for disabled and deserving Kansas Veterans.
Following services, a large crowd attended the annual community dinner hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary in the newly restored American Legion Hall. Records of veterans buried at seven cemeteries in Osborne and Russell counties will continue to be archived by Linda Crawford, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109, Natoma.
The Natoma American Legion Post 109 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 continue serving veterans, their families, children, youth, and community.