Residents To Honor Fallen Vets in Tribute Saturday

The  is teaming up with and a local Boy Scout troop to host its third annual Memorial Day tribute on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The event aims to honor the memory of deceased members of the armed forces, both active duty and veterans.

“The original purpose of Memorial Day was to honor those who died in combat,” said Don Rakoskie, funeral home manager.

“We, like so many others, have expanded the tribute to remember all deceased members. It doesn’t matter when or how they died, only that they served for the sake of freedom,” he said.

Residents can specifically remember a fallen friend or family member by visiting the funeral home and filling out a tag with the name of a deceased loved one, their military branch and year of death. The funeral home will laminate the tag, attach it to a flag and place it in the Memorial Garden—the grassy area between the parking lot and Route 2, Rakoskie said.

“The flags will be placed on Friday, May 25, and remain there for one week,” Rakoskie said.

The memorial tribute will take place in the parking lot on the west side of the funeral home. After a brief introduction, George Martin of American Legion Post 226 will serve as master of ceremonies and Boy Scout Troop 249 will present the colors.

“[The Boy Scouts will] raise a flag on our pole that we dedicated at our 2011 ceremony in honor and memory of all current and former members of the armed forces, living and deceased.

“An American Legion chaplain will offer an invocation and then the Annapolis Young Marines will carry in another flag and fold it while Martin explains the meaning of each fold,” Rakoskie said.

After a final salute by ringing a ship’s bell 21 times, a Boy Scout bugler will play “Taps.” Following a balloon-release tribute and closing remarks, the funeral home will offer light refreshments.