Honoring the Fallen on Memorial Day and Always

  • The annual Hope Cemetery Memorial Day program, highlighted by military rights by American Legion Willman-Fee Post 14 and VFW Post 5548 drew a crowd to rural Wessington Springs Monday to pay respect, honor and remember.
    The annual Hope Cemetery Memorial Day program, highlighted by military rights by American Legion Willman-Fee Post 14 and VFW Post 5548 drew a crowd to rural Wessington Springs Monday to pay respect, honor and remember.
  • Legion members Jerry Fastnacht and Dareld Bucholz salute the flag during the Prospect Hill Memorial Day Program in Wessington Springs.
    Legion members Jerry Fastnacht and Dareld Bucholz salute the flag during the Prospect Hill Memorial Day Program in Wessington Springs.
  • Following a prayer and opening comments, members of the American Legion Willman-Fee Post 14 and VFW Post 5548 served military rights at Hope Cemetery as part of the annual Memorial Day program.
    Following a prayer and opening comments, members of the American Legion Willman-Fee Post 14 and VFW Post 5548 served military rights at Hope Cemetery as part of the annual Memorial Day program.
  • Don Grubb delivered the presentation during the Prospect Hill program, framing his remarks around the Gettysburg Address, “It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the p
    Don Grubb delivered the presentation during the Prospect Hill program, framing his remarks around the Gettysburg Address, “It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the p
  • Loree Gaikowski played Taps with son Nathan who joined her at Hope Cemetery and Prospect Hill Memorial Day programs.
    Loree Gaikowski played Taps with son Nathan who joined her at Hope Cemetery and Prospect Hill Memorial Day programs.
  • Major Chris Schimke, South Dakota National Guard, Retired, served as the keynote speaker at the Hope Cemetery program. During his reflection, he dove deep into why we need to be the Americans that Memorial Day, and the fallen, deserve. “Those we honor today made the ultimate sacrifice. Their families also sacrificed their child, brother or sister, father or mother. Since 1776 their sacrifice has borne fruit to become the greatest country on the planet."
    Major Chris Schimke, South Dakota National Guard, Retired, served as the keynote speaker at the Hope Cemetery program. During his reflection, he dove deep into why we need to be the Americans that Memorial Day, and the fallen, deserve. “Those we honor today made the ultimate sacrifice. Their families also sacrificed their child, brother or sister, father or mother. Since 1776 their sacrifice has borne fruit to become the greatest country on the planet."

    There were no shortage of opportunities to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day 2023. With six different programs held in the Jerauld County area, locals gathered to pay tribute in Alpena, Gann Valley, rural Jerauld County, and Wessington Springs. The photos above captured the programs at both Hope Cemetery and Prospect Hill. 

     

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