– Photos by Melissa Miller
The Burlington American Legion Post 414 conducted sixth Memorial day services on May 27 in honor of the veterans in the community who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
During Memorial Day, the American Legion places flags at Burlington Cemetery, Middlefork Cemetery, Hyde’s Cemetery, Asbury Cemetery and Mounds Cemetery while also conducting services at South Union Cemetery and Ball Hill Cemetery. Commander Chris Wright commented about how the Legion has begun to expand into counties beyond Carroll County.
“We put out over 300 flags, and I believe six or seven or seven different cemeteries, but we have so many because there’s so many posts that are fewer and fewer and fewer,” Wright said. “We’ve picked up the slack in going into Howard County, and we go into Clinton County and we stay here in our corner of Carroll County as well.”
Wright expressed that numerous members of the American Legion have a special connection with the Memorial Day ceremonies as they honor those that they have considered family after their passing.
“A lot of these guys have fallen brothers, and that’s what Memorial Day is all about–the remembrance of their lives and what they sacrificed for their country,” Wright said. “These guys are willing to do it, and as long as they’re willing to do it and capable of doing it, we’re going to keep doing it.”
Wright stated that becoming the Commander of the American legion became a goal of his after influence from his father-in-law, who inspired him to pursue an opportunity with the Legion to make a difference in the Carroll County community, and through the American Legion, he has found a brotherhood unrivaled by any other experience he has had.
“I really enjoyed spending time with the guys that have gone on already and the guys that are still here, I mean, a lot of them are like father figures,” Wright said. “To have them love on you and just bring you into their homes and into their their post and just let them be a part of your life is a big thing to me.”
The American legion strives to continue their pursuit of patriotism throughout the year, including displaying the colors and the flags during every national holiday, which they have received numerous compliments for during their decorating seasons.
“We like to put the flags out for our national holidays, we like for our community to show those colors,” Wright said. “Whenever people drive through town, believe it or not, our busy little state road is pretty busy, and a lot of people stop and say how they enjoy how pretty our town is.”
The Legion extends beyond Memorial Day as they host a 21-Gun Salute during the Fourth of July season that is immediately followed by fireworks, host a Veterans Day dinner and attend funerals, but their reach extends beyond holidays as they support homeless veterans and more throughout the year.
“Christmas time is big,” Wright said. “What funds we have left over at the end of the year, we like to donate to our veterans home over in Lafayette, and we have our Operation Comfort Warrior, which is a Legion sponsored program. it’s kind of like Wounded Warrior Program, but it’s sponsored by the legion, and we donate to that as well, and we’re happy to give it.”
The American Legion conduct ceremonies based on symbolism and tributes for the veterans to fully become immersed in the service and understand the importance of the ceremonies.
