Havre ceremony remembers those who have served

Monday, Veterans Honor Guard, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks Lodge and Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club hosted a Memorial Day service on the west side of the Hill County Courthouse. Many members of the community came out for the event.

The Master of Ceremony, Chaplain of District Two Terry L. Roemmich, introduced the Hi-Line scouts and Josh Gomez to begin the event.

The event started with the flag ceremony led by the color guard Eagle Scout Jeffery Hummert and other members of Hi-Line scouting, including troops 1438 and 1492, Girl Scouts troop 3225, Venture Scout crew 2406 and Cub Scouts packs 4426 and 4492.

The National anthem was sung by Dena Rudio, before Jed Damson of the American Legion read the names of soldiers who we have lost.

"We will remember them in our minds and our hearts," Damson said.

The Host the Wreaths ceremony followed, with Mike Jennings and Marilyn Damson from American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary walking their wreath to the memorial site. Josh and Lara Gomez of the VFW walking their wreath next. Members of the Elks Lodge Kyle Leeds, Matt Kretchmer, Brandy Kurtz and Bob Nieuwenhuyse were the last to present a wreath.

Next was a brief reading from Judy Olson, current president of the Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club, thanking the men and women who have served and those who helped with the Blue Star Memorial Project, which is a National Garden Club program to set up memorials honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is the second location of a Blue Star Memorial in Havre with the first being unveiled last year at Memorial Park.

Olson thanked Tom Patrick Construction, Hill County and the Lions Club whose donations and grants helped place the second Blue Star Memorial marker.

VFW Post War Honor Guard closed the event with a 21-shot salute followed by the playing of taps.

Roemmich then invited everyone to join them at the Elks Lodge for a free-will offering chili lunch.