Letter to the Editor: Memorial Day 2021

To the Editor:

I would like to express my gratitude for the great Memorial Day celebration to all who made that possible in Harpers Ferry. Legion Post 722 deserves a huge amount of credit as they were the primary organizers of the event, starting with the visit to six cemeteries in the area to honor those who served and died for this country.

Msgr. Cletus Hawes deserves much credit also as he delivered a moving tribute to all veterans who helped create this great country, going back to the time of the American Revolution and through the present. He also made a great appeal for the country to come together once again as One Nation Under God and honoring the Constitution.

Then there is the Legion Auxiliary, which was instrumental in putting together the parade. This is the first parade in Harpers in three years since the last one was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the one before that was diminished due to rain.

A great amount of appreciation goes out to the tremendous crowd turnout to watch the parade. The number of people lining the streets was very impressive and very moving. It was especially gratifying to see such respect for the flag. Everyone, young and old alike, stood for the flag. And how about the Legion and Auxiliary members and current military members marching in the parade and displaying Old Glory?

All of the floats were also very impressive and a good reminder of how much work goes into making the event so special. My appreciation goes out to all who brought floats or were part of them.

Special recognition goes out to Jim Bieber and the barbershop group from Waukon that brought a new dimension of patriotic music not previously seen at our event. We hope we can have them back next year.  And not to be left out was the Waukon Junior High Band.

The roll call is always what the day is all about as we acknowledge those from Harpers who gave everything to help guarantee those freedoms laid out by our Constitution.

At the end of the day, it seemed that things are once again returning to normal and we are coming to an end of the restrictions forced upon us by the pandemic.  Hold onto your hats for the 4th of July.

Lowell L. Engle
Harpers Ferry