letters to the editor
July 6, 2012 5:54PM
Updated: August 9, 2012 6:22AM
Memorial Day service
supporters thanked
The Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association, would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to those who organized, participated in, and/or attended Elgin’s Memorial Day Services this year at Bluff City Cemetery, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, and Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Memorial Day is the day our nation has set aside to honor and remember our country’s military men and women who have sacrificed so very much for us; many giving the ultimate sacrifice. Each year we are so very pleased to see an increase in the number of people attending these services. What a wonderful way to show our respect and gratitude to these veteran’s and their families.
This year our Bluff City Cemetery program remembered the Blackhawk War and the two soldiers who succumbed to cholera and are buried at the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin.
We would also like to give special thanks to Bill Briska, Elgin historian who gave the Memorial Day Address, Mayor David Kaptain, Pat Henning and the Larkin High School Band, Reverend Clifford “Hannibal” Frederich, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Reverend James R. Keenan, St. Mary’s Church, readers Tadajah Coleman, Larkin High School and Luke Zimmer, Elgin Community College, Elgin Choral Union, Johnny Vargas, bugler, the combined color guards and firing squads;
Also, American Legion Post 57, AMVETS Post 202, Marine Corp League — Elgin Detachment 077, Navy Club —Elgin Ship #7, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 2, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307, Bluff City Cemetery, Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, and Mt. Hope Cemetery staff, city of Elgin — Department of Parks and Recreations, Elgin Granite Works, D. Fiordirosa Construction Co., Kevin Jocius of Headed North, Inc., Twin Arts, Wait-Ross-Allanson/Laird’s Funeral Home, Elgin Elks Lodge 737, Mike Hunziker and WRMN Radio, Ken Gough, and Adopt-A-Cemetery participants.
May we always remember the heroic men and women who have served, fought, and died for our great country so we may enjoy our many freedoms. May we also remember our service men and women who are still in harm’s way today. We wish them a quick and safe return.
Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association
Jerry Turnquist, President
Helen McCulloch, Vice-President
Linda Fagan, Secretary
Pat Porter, Treasurer
