Public invited to Memorial Day services

Local Memorial Day services will begin assembly at the Clear Lake Sea Wall on Main Avenue at 9:30 a.m.  There will be a welcome by the Officer of the Day, Dave Theiss, U.S. Army veteran, followed by an opening prayer by Cris Beard, MGst, U.S. Marine Corps, (ret).

The Clear Lake High School Band will perform the National Anthem.  The Flag will be raised by the Boy Scouts.  A wreath will be cast upon the water, by Mike Nelson, U.S. Navy veteran.  The observance will then move to the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Guest speaker of the day will be the Reverend Monsignor John Hemann, Brigadier General U.S. Army (ret).  He has served the Catholic Church since 1960, and celebrated 50 years in 2010.  He has served as a Commissioned Military Chaplain since 1966. Father Hemann has been highly decorated for his service and has served at the Pentagon in Washington, as well as Germany in 1987 and 1990-1991 during the Gulf War.  Military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal to name a few.

Opening remarks at the Clear Lake Cemetery will be by the Officer of the Day, Dave Theiss, followed by ritualistic works by the Daughters of the American Revolution (Wanda Kennedy), Civil War (Pam Grill), American Legion 222 (Kathy Vine), Veterans of Foreign Wars 4868 (Linda Dockwell), AMVETS #135 Korea and Vietnam (Linda Born). Tribute to the patriotic orders that have disbanded include Navy Mothers, Women’s Relief Corp, World War I and W.R.C. (Karen Ressler).

Clear Lake High School students will read Flanders Field and the Gettysburg Address.  Milo Dugan and Bailey Goldberg will deliver the speeches.  The Missing man Table will be defined and VFW Commander Mike Nelson will read the roll call of deceased veterans of the past year.

There will be a rifle salute by the Civil War Honor Guard and Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 Honor Guard, followed by Echo Taps performed by Dr. John Aslakson, LT USGCR (ret) and Jim Reynolds, Clear Lake Band Director (ret).  Benediction will be by Cris Beard.

In case of rain, the program will be announced at the VFW.