Photo provided Members of American Legion Post 229 in Hope prepare for Monday’s Memorial Day observance.
There will be some significant changes for the Community Memorial Day Service in downtown Columbus.
The observance begins at 11 a.m. Monday at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans, southwest of the county courthouse. Those who attend are urged to bring their own lawn chairs.
The tradition of reading the name of every Bartholomew County veteran who has died over the past year was moved last year from Veterans Day in November to Memorial Day in May.
Veterans committee member Zach Ellison said his organization determined it was more appropriate to read the names on a holiday that honors those who died for their country, rather than on Veterans Day, which honors both the living and dead who have served their country.
However, the practice of releasing helium-filled balloon for each name, which began 22 years ago as a campaign by the Funeral Directors Association of America, is likely gone for good.
Complaints were made because deflated balloons have been mistaken for food by countless animals, causing some of them to die. Fallen balloons are also known to cause power outages, as well as pollute remote and pristine places, according to the Environmental Nature Center.
So instead of balloons, the veterans’ events planning committee has obtained a large, nickel-plated 10-inch bell that will be sounded each time a name is read, Ellison said.
In addition to the 11 a.m. event, there are several other public observances held in Columbus on Memorial Day. They include:
- 9 a.m. — Tossing of rose petals into East Fork White River from the Robert N. Stewart (Second St.) Bridge. This ceremony honors all military personnel who died in naval engagements.
- 10 a.m. — Ceremony at the veteran’s section of Garland Brook Cemetery. This ceremony is designed to be more religious in substance that other local observances. With more than 3,000 veterans buried in Columbus’ largest cemetery, this ceremony has been held annually since 1972.
During each of the three ceremonies in Columbus, fallen soldiers and veterans are honored by a 21-gun salute, following the playing of TAPS.
Hope has its own Memorial traditions. Chartered in 1934, the American Legion Post 229 in Hope organizes the annual Memorial Day observance.
Hope residents travel to eight different cemeteries Memorial Day morning. After reaching each place of honor, the American Legion commander will say some words, the chaplain will provide a prayer, a bouquet of flowers will be placed on a designated grave, and the service will conclude with the traditional 3-volley rifle fire, followed by “Taps.”
Here is the schedule for Monday:
- 7:30 a.m. – All participants gather at 208 Washington St. in Hope for instructions and assignments.
- 8:30 a.m. – Sharon Cemetery: County Road 700E, south of County Road 300N. The observance is held at the grave of Revolutionary War veteran Jonathan Moore (1754-1853)
- 8:50 a.m. – Newbern Cemetery: County Road 850E and County Road 225N.
- 9:15 a.m. – Hartsville Town Square. Ceremonies will be held at two cemeteries in Hartsville.
- 9:40 a.m. – Hawcreek Church Cemetery: Stafford Road and County Road 900E.
- 10 a.m. – Simmons Cemetery: County Road 625E, south of County Road 950N.
- 10:15 a.m. – Old St Louis Cemetery: County Road 670E, south of County Road 800 N.
- 10:30 a.m. – Hawcreek Bridge on W. Jackson Street in Hope. This ceremony is in honor of those lost at sea.
- 11 a.m. – Veteran Memorial at the Hope Moravian Cemetery (culminating ceremony).
