(By Regina Lorenz, Osmond Republican) OSMOND — The annual Osmond Memorial Day program was held in the OHS gym at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27.
The American Legion Post 326 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838 and their auxiliaries, along with the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 326, presented the Colors, marching in to the processional played by the Osmond High School band. After the Salute to the Flag and the “National Anthem,” accompanied by the Osmond High School band, Rev. Scott Kirchoff of Immanuel Lutheran Church gave the invocation.
Commander Kruse then introduced the speaker for the day, Kristy Hallock. Kristy served in the Air Force as an air traffic controller.
Kristy began her address by telling the story of a city council member who asked Kristy’s son if he knew the meaning of Memorial Day. She became very emotional when she admitted that her son said no, and said she felt she had failed as a parent.
Mrs. Hallock then spoke of the significance of the poppy and read the poem, “Flanders Field.” She noted that Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend. Many feared it would become associated with the first weekend of summer, and Kristy said she’s afraid that has happened.
She then explained the moment that she really understood the sig- nificance of Memorial Day. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, she was serving in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. In one of the battles, a friend of hers was one of the casualties.
She was later the flight control ler at the base when his body was found and brought back. The plane was considered an Angel Flight, and she referenced a song with that name. She once again became emotional when she said that was the moment when she understood the significance of Memorial Day.
Mrs. Hallock stressed “We have to educate children about this day.”
She added, “When we as veterans MEMORIAL DAY IS MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY come home alive, we have to remember those who didn’t.” She ended with a quote by Eli Wiesel: “Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.”
After Hallock’s address, the OHS band played another number, “American Anthems.”
Ava Reikofski, who was one of the students who wrote an essay on Americanism, read the essay which had the theme, “What Can I Do to Promote Americanism in Our Community and Our School.”
Cody Gansebom, the 2024 Boy Stater, read “The Story of the Memorial Day Poppy.”
The Osmond High School choir then sang “God bless The USA.”
The roll call of departed Legion and Auxiliary members was read by Commander Dave Kruse while Alivia Vinson, Brynlee Huff, McKenzie Riley and Skyla Vogel dropped poppies on a platform with a white cross.
To conclude the indoor portion of the program, the audience sang “America, The Beautiful,” accompanied by the OHS band, and Rev. Kirchoff gave the benediction.
The Osmond High School band then played the recessional and the program concluded on the lawn on the east side of the school, where a mock cemetery was set up with the names of all of the departed Legion and Auxiliary members.
Junior Legion Auxiliary member Ella von Rentzell placed a wreath on the cross of the Unknown, followed by a firing salute and the playing of “Taps” by Christalin Ginn and Donovan Heiman.
