Lt. Col. Bob Russell addresses the crowd at the annual Memorial Day program Monday, May 31, at Holyoke Cemetery. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Standing behind the memorial wreaths, the Brown family — Mike, Elly and Emmy — provide special music at the cemetery gazebo. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Memorial Day a time to remember
While last weekend’s weather was a bit chillier than most years, the sun came out for a beautiful Memorial Day program at Holyoke Cemetery on Monday morning, May 31.
The service was led by Terry Barth, commander of the local American Legion and VFW posts. He was pleased to present guest speaker Lt. Col. Bob Russell, a 1964 Holyoke High School graduate and a former fighter pilot who has retired from a career in the U.S. Air Force.
The military has not escaped many of the things affecting the country right now, and Russell touched on everything from the pandemic to equality to social issues. Click here to read his address.
Special music was performed by the Holyoke High School band as well as Emmy, Elly and Mike Brown. Monday’s program also included a Memorial Day prayer, the placing of the memorial wreaths, an honor guard salute and the playing of taps.
The memorial honor roll was played on a loudspeaker at the cemetery throughout the day. The grounds were filled with beautiful decorations to remember loved ones, including flags placed on veterans’ graves by volunteers last Friday.