Left to right: Phyllis Beccue, Jackson Fricke, Senator Sally Turner, Evan Cooper, Alexis Wade and Joe Lucas at the Memorial Day services in Mount Pulaski.
 

Memorial Day services in Mount Pulaski feature Senator Sally Turner as the speaker

[May 30, 2023]   “I am so thankful to be here with my friends and family and people that I grew up with,” began Senator Sally Turner, as she addressed the Memorial Day crowd gathered at the Mount Pulaski Cemetery on a beautiful Monday morning filled with blue skies.

Sen. Turner looked into the crowd and noted that there were people who she not only spent time at their house but that she even babysat in the small town.

“Mount Pulaski is my home and I thank you for allowing me to offer a few words of remembrance today,” Turner continued. “I’ve been blessed to be a part of this community and to join in this service. Today we come together to honor and remember the brave men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in defense of our great nation. We are here to show our gratitude and reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms that we all hold dear.”

She continued to emphasize the bravery of those who served and reminded those in attendance that we owe those who served this country a debt that can never be paid, as they paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for their country.

In closing, Sen. Turner said to the crowd, “Not only today, but every day, take time to look at these memorials and talk to these young people that gave their speeches. Appreciate the flags that are next to each memorial here and thank God for your freedom, our freedom and the lives of those that gave their all. Thank you and may God bless the souls of our fallen heroes and may God bless the United States of America.”

The services at the Mount Pulaski Cemetery began at 10:00 a.m. with remarks by Lt. Col. Joe Lucas, USAF, Ret. and the invocation by Nathan Sowers of the Mount Pulaski Christian Church. The presentation of the wreaths by local organizations and the presentation of the flowers by local youth then took place at the Veterans Memorial.

Mayor Matt Bobell also made some opening remarks, which included thanking the city workers for getting the new Veterans banners up around town. Bobell also said Mount Pulaski has honored those who gave their lives with a Memorial Day service that dates back to over 100 years ago.

American Legion Post 447 Ladies Auxiliary president Phyllis Beccue presented the 2023 essay and scholarship winners.

The essay contest, “What Memorial Day Means to Me,” was won by Jackson Fricke of Mount Pulaski High School Noah Parpart of Zion Lutheran School was the runner-up. They each delivered their speeches.

This year’s Mount Pulaski American Legion Post 447 scholarship winners were Evan Cooper, Alexis Wade and Ethan Payne. Payne was unable to attend. Beccue noted there were eight applications this year for the scholarships, so the legion decided to award three.

In closing, the local veterans did the 21-gun salute and Tom Romer played “Taps.”

Following the services at the Mount Pulaski Cemetery, another Memorial Day service took place in the Veail Memorial Chapel at Steenburgen Cemetery at approximately 11:30 a.m. The speakers were each the same, with Lucas adding new information about the lovely cemetery located south of town.

At the Steenbergen Cemetery service, Lucas noted several old tombstones that had been either damaged or were missing, had now been replaced. He also said there is a new roof on the chapel.

A nice crowd gathered at this cemetery to pay their respects. As the flags waved in the wind, the blue skies overhead made for a great reminder of God’s beauty and the hope that God has wrapped His arms around the fallen heroes.

Bryson Taylor is surrounded by his grandparents, Sue and Delmar Stewart of Mount Pulaski. Delmar takes care of the mowing and weed eating at Steenbergen Cemetery and he does a great job.

Landscaper Delmar Stewart and his crew do an amazing job keeping this private cemetery looking beautiful year round.

Local Boy Scout Troop 122 also guards the flags all weekend long.

On this Memorial Day weekend, the cemetery had 188 flags on display. Many visitors travel near and far to see the beauty of the Avenue of Flags and to pay their respects to the fallen heroes of this quaint country cemetery.

[Teena Lowery]