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Remembering ‘those who gave their lives’ in service

Area residents honored fallen military service members in a variety of ways

Photo by Deb Gau Members of the Marshall American Legion and VFW held graveside services in area cemeteries on Memorial Day. As the roll of the dead was read in the Marshall Cemetery, a bell was rung for each military service member who died in the past year.

MARSHALL — It was a sacred day, members of the Marshall American Legion reminded community members gathered at area cemeteries. While the COVID-19 pandemic cut Memorial Day observances short this year, Marshall area residents found ways to honor the memory of U.S. military service members.

Area residents visited the graves of loved ones and military service members on Monday. While Marshall’s usual annual Memorial Day program could not be held due to social distancing concerns, members of the Marshall American Legion and VFW visited cemeteries in Lynd, Green Valley, and Marshall to lead prayers and read out the names of service members and veterans who died in the past year.

As each deceased service member’s name was read, a bell was rung.

“We honor the memories of those who gave their lives in the service of their country,” speakers at the Marshall and Calvary Catholic Cemeteries said.

Later in the day, community members and residents at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center also observed Memorial Day in creative ways. Morningside Heights administrator Mary Swanson said that because there was no Memorial Day program this year, they invited a special guest to the care center.

Shelby Korman, an eighth-grade student at Lynd School, played songs on her trumpet outside the building.

Korman said when Swanson asked her to come and play for residents, “I said, ‘Sure!'”

“I practiced for about two weeks. I already had the music from school,” Korman said.

Korman gave a couple of short concerts, one on each of two sides of the care center building, where windows had been opened. She played “Amazing Grace,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and taps.

As the last notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” started to fade, people started to clap from their windows.

Korman said she knew it would be special to play for everyone on Memorial Day. She has family members who are in the service, she said, “So I know how much it means to them.”

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