Third Annual Memorial Day Celebration Held

The third annual Memorial Day Tribute Event, hosted by Champion Kane Funeral Home, was held on Monday, May 26 at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Flags were placed on the graves over the weekend to honor the fallen.

Daniel Sessions, one of the funeral directors at Champion Kane Funeral home, talked about how the event started three years ago. He said it was a way to do something on Memorial Day for the community and to honor those who have died.

He thanked the donors who contributed to the event.

The Fort Phil Kearny Regulars fired off a cannon to open the event, and the Grand Entrance included the American Legion’s 7th Cavalry Drum & Bugle Corps and the Posting of the Colors by American Legion Post #07.

National Anthem was performed by SGT Bridger, Wyoming’s Own 67th Army Band.

Kevin Rizer, of the First Baptist church, gave the invocation,

Mayor Rich Bridger spoke to the crowd, thanking everyone for coming.

He also thanked the 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corp, the American Legion for the flag presentation, and the Sessions’ family for hosting the event.

He added that this is a wonderful event, and we are so blessed to live in this community and have this wonderful day to remember our veterans and those who served.

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis sent a letter; she wrote about Memorial Day and those who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we hold so dear. She said for those who have lost loved ones, today is not a holiday, it is a somber reminder of what they have lost. May we never take their sacrifice for granted.

Chaplain Derek Schultz echoed her sediment in his special tribute, saying that to say, have a happy Memorial Day doesn’t quite sit right for people who have lost loved ones.

The poem was “In Flanders Fields”, one of the most quoted and best-known poems from World War I.

Concluding the program was the Last Call Ceremony, where the bell was rung for each name of those from the community who had died in the past year.

Stella Sonnenberg of Sheridan attended the event. The hot air ballon, “Hot and Bothered” was on display from Cloud Peak Ballooning.

There were Military Honors presented by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps & U.S. Navy; There was a 21 Gun Salute; TAPS was performed by SPC Waring, of the 67th Army Band and there was a release of Doves from Doves of Love to honor the fallen.

Other special musical performances included members of Wyoming’s own 67th army band
Sheridan’s own Kristy Wragge Dooley and Sgt. Bridger and the Cherry Family.

Sessions said they are looking forward to hosting the event next year as well.