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Pierre CAP Members Join Memorial Day Program

June 1, 2021

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Cadet and adult members of the Pierre Squadron were busy over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. They supported the military veterans of the Pierre Post 8 American Legion.

On the Saturday preceding Memorial Day several members helped the Legion and other volunteers put out American flags on the gravesites of all known veterans in Riverside Cemetery in Pierre. While the flags were not counted, there were a lot of them. The day was cool and rainy early that morning.

On Memorial Day itself Pierre residents gathered at the T. F. Riggs Theatre at the high school. Patriotic music began at 10:30 a. m. provided by the Capitol City Band. The service began at 11:00 a. m. with LeRoy Madsen, Pierre Post 8 commander as Master of Ceremonies. A Post 8 Color Guard posted colors to open the program.  Post 8 Chaplain Ken Newling did the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by the audience.

A rendition of the National Anthem was presented by the Capitol City Band followed by the Laying of Wreaths by the sixteen organizations present. Pierre Civil Air Patrol commander Capt Ruth Carley laid the Civil Air Patrol wreath as the Squadron name was read by the Master of Ceremonies.

Guest speaker Gary Grittner, a retired U. S. Navy Commander, spoke of his time in the military and the sacrifices service members and their loved ones share.

This was followed by a benediction by Chaplain Newling and Taps by the Capital City Band. Colors were retired by the Color Guard concluding the program.

The morning of the following Tuesday, some members of the Pierre Squadron made the rounds at the cemetery to collect the flags and store them in containers and return them to the Legion Cabin to be used again next year.

 

Tagged As: Memorial Day

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