On the weekend 0f Memorial Day, Post 191 in Central California springs into action. On Friday morning at 0700 hours we meet with the local junior high students from the MESA program to drive in stakes at head of each veteran's grave. The MESA program is an advanced study group to help students excel each year.
On Saturday morning at 0800 hours, we all gather with volunteers from the community to honor each gravestone. A flag and a cross with a poppy decorates each grave. The 4H Club in town has become a group we love to see show up. The VFW shows up to post the flags on the Avenues of Flags.
The cemetery stays open so families and friends can come honor their loved ones.
On Monday morning at 0900 the ceremony is started. We will honor our Gold Star Mothers. The Auxiliary will read "In Flanders Field." A high school student will make a presentation on how patriotism is viewed by the student body, The Kingsburg Jazz choir will sing songs that honor our soldiers.
We will have a speaker who will share his experiences before, during and after his military service.
Wreaths will be laid in honor of the Legion, the Auxiliary and the VFW. Taps and a benediction will follow.
Afterwards we will serve cookies and punch to all who come.
That afternoon folks will come back and clean up the cemetery, and put the flags and the crosses away for another year.
Last year we had 1,275 gravestones.