American Legion to host its Memorial Day service

The American Legion in Chester will host its annual Memorial Day Service for the community at 11 a.m. Monday, May 30, at Post 487.

"Memorial Day: Remember and Honor, Dedicated to the Fallen" will begin with a welcome from Post Commander Randy Werner, followed by the Chester High School Band performing the national anthem and an invocation from Chaplain Bud Lawless of the Randolph County Marine Corps League.

Werner and Dale Volle, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 3553, will conduct the Wreath Placement Ceremony and the CHS band will play "Ashoken Farewell."

Volle and Chester Mayor, Tom Page will offer remarks, and the band will play "Armed Forces Medley" to recognize members of the various branches in attendance. The guest speaker will be Shane Wagner, a local author and historian. Following Wagner's presentation, there be the Annual Roll Call of Departed Veterans, including those who died from June 2019 to May of 2022.

The combined American Legion and VFW Color Guard will then conduct the traditional "Salute to Our Departed Veterans," followed by the playing of taps by Luke Miller, Chester High School graduating senior.

Lawless will conclude the ceremony with a benediction and the CHS Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, will perform "America the Beautiful" and "National Emblem March."

The American Legion Auxiliary will serve a free lunch with immediately following the service. The public is invited.

Guests also will be invited to sign a card with the name of any veterans they wish to honor and attach the card to the special American Legion Memorial Tree created by Farida and Lee Hollaway.