Photo By Kaleen Holliday | Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss participates in a wreath-laying...... read more read more
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Several people from Fort McCoy were among the many out supporting Memorial Day 2021 activities May 31 in Sparta, Wis.
Sparta’s observance included a parade, service, and more. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to history.com. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it also marks the beginning of the summer season.
Fort McCoy’s involvement included a color guard leading the parade, said Public Affairs Specialist Kaleen Holliday with the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office who attended the event. Also according to history.com, color guards in the United States have always included veterans from past wars and are in parades and memorial celebrations. They have always been tied the military — either including veterans or currently serving military members.
With Fort McCoy Garrison, looking back at the installation’s history, service members have traditionally supported Memorial Day and other local events with a color guard presentation.
Holliday said the event support also included Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss, his wife Dawn, and two of their sons participating in the parade. Also in the parade and part of event support was Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Rand, garrison chaplain.
“The parade traveled down South Water Street to Blyton Veterans Park in Sparta,” Holliday said. A Memorial Day service was held at the part that included an invocation and closing prayer by Chaplain Rand. Col. Poss was the guest speaker.”
A wreath-laying ceremony was also held at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2112 on Perch Lake in Sparta. Poss and the VFW commander put the wreath in the lake together to honor those military members who died in service to the country after Chaplain Rand said a special prayer.
The Sparta VFW post and the Sparta American Legion were involved in the parade, service, and ceremony, Holliday said.
Hundreds of people participated in all the activities, which were expanded after all 2020 community events were limited or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.” Also try downloading the Digital Garrison app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2021 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 398186 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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