New Berlin Plans Memorial Day Ceremony: Speakers, Balloon Release

NEW BERLIN, WI — A ceremony marking Memorial Day 2022 with speakers, patriotic music, a rifle salute and a balloon release is scheduled for May 30 at Highland Memorial Park Cemetary in New Berlin.

The federal holiday comes on the final Monday of May each year, and is meant to honor those who have died in their services to the U.S. armed forces.

"We must do everything we can to ensure that the generations that follow will fully appreciate the sacrifices that so many have made and the sorrow their families have had to endure so that the rest of us can live in relative peace and security," reads the city's news release.

The ceremony will start at the cemetery, 14875 West Greenfield Avenue, at 11 a.m. according to a news release from the City of New Berlin. Guest speakers are set to include Mayor Dave Ament, State Sen. Julian Bradley, State Rep. Joe Sanfelippo and New Berlin Veterans Memorial President Mary Jane Whitty.

Miss New Berlin Outstanding Teen Kiana Schraufnagel will recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremony, and a host of patriotic music and songs will be performed. Miss New Berlin Abby Miller will sing the national anthem, Kayla Shultz will sing "America The Beautiful," and Tammy Simonson will play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, the city's release said. The New Berlin Community Band will also play patriotic music, including a "God Bless America" sing-along and a rendition of TAPS.

Members of VFW Post 5716 will perform a Memorial Ritual Service, which includes a rifle salute, and Commander David Chappell will share some words. Sgt. Timothy Gibbons from the U.S. Army Waukesha Recruiting Station will retire a flag alongside members of VFW Post 5716, and Paul Peterson will give a "toast" to the flag.

The event is scheduled to end with a balloon release with memorial tags, and Commander Ken Sharping from VFW Post 5716 will fire a cannon, according to the city's news release.

The city recommends that everyone who plans on attending brings a lawn chair if they would like to sit for the event, which is expected to last for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, as seating will not be provided.

More information about the ceremony is available through the city's website.