Honoring their ultimate sacrifice

In memory of those who offered up the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, members of VFW Post #2243 and the Kimball County Veteran’s Service Office invite everyone to join them for the 2018 Memorial Day Service.

Scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28, at the Kimball Cemetery. The service will open with a welcoming message and a prayer by Pastor Rich Thomas.

A patriotic song will be followed by the laying of the wreath for the unknown soldier by Joyce Witt and Amy Sapp, VFW #2243 Auxiliary members.

A new demonstration will illustrate the folding of the Flag with descriptions for each fold just prior to the keynote speaker, Lieutenant Colonel George L. “Ripper” Chapman, the Commander of the 320th Missile Squadron at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo.

A flag will be presented to Jim Wann, son of Walt Wann, in his honor. The Honor Guard will then salute and Taps will be played before the raising of the Flag and the Star Spangled Banner.

Veteran’s that have passed away from the area will be honored and veterans that are in attendance recognized with name, rank, and branch of service.

Flags will be raised before the closing prayer is offered. The VFW Post #2243 will then host a hamburger feed at the local post, located at 227 S. Chestnut in Kimball. Free will donations will be accepted.

In years past, a Flag retirement ceremony followed the services and luncheon, however, this year there will be a separate ceremony at a later date.

According to the website usmemorialday.org, in traditional observance, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.