APPLETON (NBC 26) — Ahead of Memorial Day, a veteran salute tour in Appleton paid tribute to our fallen.
It was put together by the Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard, along with other local veteran service organizations to salute all who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Many of them died while in combat, some others committed suicide. We have a lot of service men and women who died in many different ways while serving in our United States military,” said Eric Stadler, Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard Chairperson.
The tribute began Sunday afternoon with a procession across Riverside cemetery afterward presenting a memorial wreath and reciting a short prayer.
The tribute also included a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
“I almost teared up because it almost went through me. Just so beautiful. Very heart wrenching to me because it meant a lot that w e honor those. And you can look at every flag that’s here. There’s a lot more people than what we realize that serve,” said Lorraine Washington who came to observe the tribute.
Organizers said this annual salute tour started in 2020 as a result of of the pandemic.
Without a Memorial Day parade or live ceremony that year, they decided to come up with this celebration.
This special tribute was not only done at this cemetery but it was done at five different cemeteries across Appleton, ensuring no one is forgotten this Memorial Day weekend.
And though this holiday can sometimes get lost between barbecues and marking the unofficial start of summer, Stadler said it is important we also recognize it as a solemn day.
“Think about those who had to walk through the jungles of Vietnam, those who had to be in the extreme cold temperatures in Korea, and the chosen few. Things they endured and didn’t get to live to talk about and remind us about is too paramount that we don’t forget what the day is about," Stadler said.
