Avenue of Flags Ceremony

2023 -- Memorial Day, LeMars, Iowa

~Photos & descriptions contributed by the family of Vernon C. Ewin

LeMars Sentinel, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

LEMARS — The 58th Annual of Flags Memorial Day program was conducted under sunny skies Monday at the Plymouth County Courthouse. 

 The program, presented by the American Legion, Wasmer Post #241 of LeMars, featured the reading of 1,489 names of the flags posted on the lawn, as well as the posting of 21 new flags. 

 Those additional veterans remembered with their flag were: Henry Bader, Earl Brandon, Eldon Bray, Stan Culley, Matthew J. Dreckman, Vernon Ewin, Robert Fulton, Darwin Hansen, Clayton Holzman, Bill Jaycox, Vernon L. Loutsch, Larry Luft, Melvin MacKay, Brian Majeres, Merle Merritt, Cliff Monroe, William Reuter, Rodney Scholten, Jerry Timmins, Herman (Bud) Vander Well, Carryl R. Ziettlow. 

Family members and Legion members carried the flags to the row of half staffs as they were recognized. 

 Three members of Wasmer Post, Robert A. Bohnenkamp, Dr. Arfthur D. Krull and Donald Overman, were presented with certificates for 50 years of continuous membership in the American Legion. 

 Patriotic music was provided by members of the LeMars Municpal Band. 

 Memorial Day is a day to remember those in the military service who gave their lives in defense of the United States of America. By honoring the country’s war dead, we continue their memory for their service and loss of life. 

 Memorial Day services and flag displays were also held in Akron, Hinton, Kingsley, Merrill, Remsen and Oyens.

 By Beverly VanBuskirk

 The National Anthem being sung * * *   

Reading of the 1,489 Names - - - Plus 21 New Tribute Flags Presented * * *

Our Family -- Presenting the Flag for Dad, Vernon Ewin. Son, David carrying flag, daughter Linda following a pace behind David. A Granddaughter, Jerri Smith shown in picture also. Next to Jerri (barely in the pic) another daughter of Vernon, Diana.

Linda - David - Jerri - Diana "Dee" with Vernon Ewin's Flag