Annual Memorial Day ceremonies set for Monday morning

Veterans and grateful citizens will gather at local cemeteries on Memorial Day Monday, May 25, to honor servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as others who have served.

The annual ceremonies will be held in three locations in north Big Horn County: 8 a.m. at the Byron Cemetery, 9 a.m. at the Cowley Cemetery and 10 a.m. at the Lovell Cemetery.

The public is encouraged to attend any or all of the ceremonies to honor veterans. Local veterans, organized by Robert Boyd Stewart American Legion Post 11, will form a color guard and conduct the ceremonies. Commander Jim Thomas will be the master of ceremonies.

Since the founding of the United States, it is estimated that 558 million Americans and immigrants have lived in this country, Thomas said, and more than 1.1 million of them have died defending the United States in wars and combat action since the American Revolution. 

“They each have stories to tell, the crosses at Normandy, the graves at Arlington, the markers at Punchbowl, the fallen heroes who rest in peace in places unknown,” Thomas said. “We are here for them.”

The Memorial Day services will include a choir from Lovell High School under the direction of Carisa French singing patriotic numbers and the placing of a wreath by Tim DeFuentes.

“Throughout history, the presentation of wreaths has been done to show honor to those who served and gave all,” Thomas said.

The keynote speaker will be William Anderson, who has served multiple deployments to the Middle East and has worked in the local Wyoming National Guard unit. “Taps” will be performed by Dale Fowler and David Peck.