By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Special Memorial Day ceremonies are going on in Harrison, Clare and Farwell Monday.
In Harrison, the Veterans’ Freedom Park will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, the 29th, at 11 am. The program will include the Welcome and Posting of the Colors, followed by the National Anthem. Speakers include County Veterans’ Service Officer Allisha Gary; Commander, American Legion Post 404 Joe Prato; and Commander VFW Post 1075 Scott Taylor, which will be followed by the Placing of the Wreaths and the Retirement of the Colors. Lunch follows at American Legion Post 404, 1267 M61, Harrison.
In Clare, the “Field of Flags” will be raised at 8 am at the Clare VFW Post 5738, at 145 Wilcox Parkway. One hundred flags will be flown, each representing a past post member. Members of the VFW will be assisted by Clare Boy Scout volunteers. The Post will open at 9 am and at 10 am a wreath presentation will be held at the Clare City Park (just west of the Post Office) followed by a parade to Cherry Grove Cemetery, at 500 Schoolcrest, where Lori Fassett will speak, followed by a 21-gun salute and prayer. Another parade will take the 21-gun salute across the street to the St. Cecilia Cemetery. At 5 pm the flags at the Post will be taken down.
The Clare-Farwell American Legion Post 558 at 400 East Ludington between Clare and Farwell will host a Flag Ceremony in front of the post at 3 pm. at the event, which is open to the public.
In Farwell, Sparta- Esterline VFW Post 3039’s Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 10 am at the Farwell Village Park. The Farwell High School Band will perform the National Anthem and both Gina Hamilton and Bill Geyer will speak. Post Commander Geyer said he will tell the history of the post which was named after World War II Veterans James Sparta and Anthony Esterline, both killed in action during the war. Geyer said the ceremony will lay a wreath at the Veterans’ Memorial in the park honoring them and also to honor Steve Laverty who died in Viet Nam. He said the Sparta Esterline Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3039 is now 71 years old, and recently honored Veteran Floyd Schmid, 96, who knew both Veterans that the Post is named for.
Schmid, who now lives with his daughter in Alabama, is a charter and life member of Farwell Sparta-Esterline VFW Post 3039 and a life member of the Clare-Farwell American Legion Post 558. He has served in many offices at both posts.