A smaller, yet still meaningful Memorial Day remembrance ceremony

Almost 150 community members attended yesterday morning’s Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at Webster Rural Cemetery, spreading out all around the cemetery’s gently sloping front yard on a spectacular spring day.

It was a smaller crowd than in years past, in large part because it did not follow a parade. There was also limited participation from children and young Scouts, who would normally place flags next to the small white crosses representing each of our country’s wars — which were also absent this year.

But the fact there was a ceremony at all gave us all a little something to cheer about, especially since COVID won last year and the event was cancelled.

Despite the continuing pandemic-related precautions, the ceremony was nonethless as moving and meaningful as always. The six new flagpoles recently erected by Eagle Scout candidate Brennan Gallatin, proudly flew the flags representing our armed services, and are an outstanding addition to the memorial.

And flapping in the breeze in the middle of the semi-circle of armed services flags, an American flag flown in honor of Rex Daniels, a 1968 R.L. Thomas grad who was KIA in Vietnam on April 16, 1971. That flag came to Webster after being flown over Capitol Hill last month, on April 16, 2021, exactly 50 years to the day Daniels lost his life.

It was a wonderful ceremony, and it was great to see the community continue to come together to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Actually, it was just great to see our community come together again. It’s been so long.

Click here to see more photos from the morning.

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Tags: Memorial Day ceremony, Webster Rural Cemetery