The Honor Guard consisted of 12 veterans including seven riflemen, a commander and bugler.
Honor Guard Member Mike Beevin escorted the riderless horse through the ceremony
The Honor Guard closed the ceremony with a three-volley salute
VFW Commander Bill Hamilton placed American flags on the Veteran’s Memorial in remembrance
Major Robert Butler of the Nebraska Air National Guard gave a solumn and sentimental speech recalling his experience losing a comrade and friend.
The audience gave a standing salute as Lilly Voils sang the national anthem
Veterans and audience members alike bowed their head for the prayer and moment of silence given by veteran and chaplain Ronald Mays
The battlefield cross is a symbolic marker for a cross that is used to honor a fallen soldier. It’s a way of showing respect for the fallen among the livin comrades.
Highschooler Alayna Jacobus played the color guard out with her bagpipe
Scouts Troop 190 acted as color guard during the ceremony
On a day meant to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our everyday freedom, a crowd of 60 or so gathered at the Brown County Courthouse to recognize our fallen soldiers.
The Brown County Veterans of Foreign Wars had this annual ceremony to pay homage to those who have been lost at the hands of fighting for our liberty. While many focus on enjoying the relaxing long weekend, it is important to recognize the significance of the holiday.
Chaplain and veteran Ronald Mays opened the ceremony with a moment of silence and solemn prayer for those who have been lost and the families that remain.
High schooler Lilly Voiles sang her rendition of the National Anthem and Scout Troop 190 served as the color guard. A riderless horse was escorted through the ceremony in honor of the fallen as the audience watched, some in remembrance of their own lost soldiers.
Major Robert Butler of the Nebraska Air National Guard spoke about his experience losing a friend in war.
“I will not forget him, and I will not allow him to be forgotten,” Butler said.
As we go back into our routines of daily lives, we must never let their legacies be forgotten and always remember who paid the sacrifice to give us what we have today.
Highschooler Alayna Jacobus played the bagpipes as the ceremony came to a close and the audience stuck around for one last moment of silence.
