On May 27, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its first Memorial Day ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery. There were 79 people in attendance, including 29 lodge members and family members, four members of the Parrish Cemetery Association Board of Directors, and family members and friends of veterans buried at the cemetery. There was a workday in April where the veterans' graves were identified and prepared for this event. Lodge members bought, cut, painted and installed 100 PVC pipes for each of the veterans buried at the cemetery to hold the Memorial Day flags steady. The Elks also donated and installed a collapsible flagpole for a large American flag to wave above the cemetery near the message board. Bill Tetrault, Esquire, installed the pole into the ground. During the ceremony, welcome remarks were made by Ken Knight, trustee, Army of Hope Chair and Veterans Committee member. Army Chaplain, Alan Brown, gave the invocation and benediction. The flag dedication was done by Mary McQuoid, Lecturing Knight and Americanism Chair. Richard Tatem, retired Air Force Colonel, was the guest speaker. Veterans Committee member Kim Panza recited the war poem “In Flanders Field.” Taps was played as well. Finally, family members of veterans buried at the cemetery placed small flags into the 100 PVC pipes. Afterward, other attendees placed flags at the remaining veterans’ graves.

Pictured raising the flag are members Frank Loviglio, Keith Parsons, Clark Christensen and Joe Kline. Also pictured are attendees and a flag at a grave.