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Memorial Day services for paying respects
by Rick DeClue · News · May 27, 2016
West Branch and surrounding communities will remember fallen veterans on Monday, May 30 with a variety of Memorial Day events from downtown to the cemetery to the Hoover complex, schools and churches.
The city’s American Legion Chauncey Butler Post 514 will be involved in several events.
The post was chartered in 1920, within a year of the national organization.
It was, in order, the 514th post in the country. There are currently 112 members locally.
• The Legion will begin the day at 8 a.m. with brief services at Appreciation Park on East Main Street near the Jack & Jill grocery store.
• At 9 a.m., the Legion will gather for Military Rites at West Branch Cemetery.
• Also at 9 a.m., St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Nolan Settlement will host a Memorial Day Mass.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the church and cemetery located at 2136 St. Bridget’s Road NE, Solon.
In case of rain, the service will be held in the church.
For more information, contact Dawn Eckrich at 319-351-2218.
• At 10:30 a.m., the Legion will host a program in the gymnasium at West Branch High School.
The program includes music by the high school band directed by Lisa Schrock, invocation and benediction by Post Chaplain Leif McGowan, keynote address by Chester (Chet) Wisniewski, the principal of St. James Catholic Elementary School in Washington, Iowa, the Ring of Honor for those post veterans killed in action, and Taps by Rachel Christian.
The Legion will also recognize veterans who died in the previous year: Anthony McClure, David Lloyd, George Heick, Fred Crew and Don Lumpa. Mr. Lumpa died recently and was buried on May 23.
• At 2 p.m. The Eastern Iowa Brass Band will perform a free concert on the front lawn of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. There is no backup venue in case of rain.
The 35 members of the EIBB come from all over Eastern Iowa, led by its director, Alex Beamer.
The award-winning group is the only band of this type in the state.
Currently on display at the Herbert Hoover Museum is the temporary exhibit, “Ain’t Misbehavin’? The World of the Gangster.” For more information, please call 319-643-5301.
Leading up to Monday’s observances, the West Branch United Methodist Church held a Memorial Service on May 24 at Crestview Specialty Care to honor veterans and to remember those from Crestview who died in the past year.
Legion members will post flags honoring veterans at gravesites in 11 area cemeteries.
The West Branch Lion’s Club will continue its “Flags Over West Branch” service for residents and businesses throughout the area.
The service provides flags and receptacles for lawns, placement and removal after the holiday.
Former Mayor Mike Quinlan said the service started five years ago with about 50 flags.
This year’s placements will total around 200, he said.
For more information, please call any Lions member or contact westbranchlions@gmail.com.
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