On May 30, Holland and Springfield Township residents gathered at the Springfield Township cemetery to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Hosted annually by Holland American Legion Post 646, the Memorial Day service featured a presentation by the legion commander, the placement of a wreath at the main flagpole and another wreath tossed into Wolf Creek.
Several days before the ceremony, Legion members and the Springfield High School JROTC cadets placed American flags at the graves of all veterans in the cemetery on Airport Highway. Again this year, the JROTC color guard opened the service with the presentation of the colors, at right. They were followed in the procession by the Blue Devil marching band. Legion members payed homage with a 21-gun salute.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in military service to the United States. Created after the Civil War, the holiday initially honored those who died to preserve the nation. After World War I, it changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to recognizing Americans who died fighting in any war. Passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971 led to Memorial Day being observed on the last Monday in May.
Above left, cadets raise the flag and then lower it to half staff in tribute to fallen soldiers.
