It starts at the Big Sandy Museum, with breakfast served by the Big Sandy Historical Society. However, it's more than breakfast. Sitting around drinking coffee and catching up with friends is the real draw. Breakfast is cooked outside in a tent, brought in, and served by the door. If you didn't have an opportunity to eat, you also didn't have an opportunity to donate to the Historical Society. They need your support to keep the museum open. If you didn't eat there, you probably aren't aware of how excellent our small museum is.
The American Legion Auxiliary distributes poppies requesting donations to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families with medical and financial needs.
This year the Memorial Day Parade was the biggest one yet. I love our small-town parades, no matter how small they are, but it was so exciting to see car after car coming around the corner this year. Shon Tester told me, "Last year, it was a three cars memorial day parade. Including the Shriners, there were only five participants in the parade. It disappointed me. The community showed up for the parade, but the parade didn't show up for the community. I knew it needed to be fixed, so I reached out to friends in the community and started a movement to improve the parade. And that's exactly what has begun. This year we had more participants than ever in the memorial day parade. Dare I say it was flirting with the same size as the homecoming parade? I encourage all businesses, churches, schools, and clubs to participate next year. The library could have its own little pet and doll parade. The saddle club could create their own marching orders, as well as the gun club. And if you don't have marching orders of your own already, this is where it's fun to be a club member. You get to create your own! I would've loved to have seen our state-winning football team marching down Main Street toting that goalpost on their shoulders, and even the prom king and queen should have a float of their own. After all, wearing that expensive prom dress only once is a shame. Showing up is extremely important, and thank you to everyone that showed up this year. We have the infrastructure and the manpower to make our four-block parade one of the best parades in the state. Cheers to this year! Cheers to next year!"
The Memorial Day program was donated to George Rice. The plaque reads. "In dedication to George G. Rice June 29,1932-March 25, 2020. George proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 with a tour of duty during the Korean War conflict. Upon his return, George selflessly served the Big Sandy community and the surrounding area for over 60 years. His dedication as an EMT, Hunter's safety educator, Stock Inspector, American legion member, school bus driver, and volunteer firefighter had a profound and positive impact on the lives of many. We are forever grateful for his commitment to the country and community. American Legion Post 50." Two uniforms surrounded the plague and will be donated to the Big Sandy Historical Museum.
During the program, the high school band performed a couple of great songs besides playing the melody of each military branch. Dick Thornton did an outstanding job presenting the history of Memorial Day. The program continued at the cemetery with the presentation of a new Monument because the first one was destroyed by one of our wind storms. The new Monument reads: "in Appreciation of all Veterans but especially in memory of those whose names are engraved on the crosses below who were from the Big Sandy Community and Made the ultimate sacrifice in war or peacetime while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 1st Monument was erected on May 30, 1949, by American Legion Post 50 and VFW Post 6107. 2nd Monument dedicated May 29, 2023, by American Legion Post 50". I am always so profoundly impressed with the number of veterans whose final resting place is in the Big Sandy Cemetery. I go every year and am always moved to listen to the names as they are read.
aIt ended with a traditional gun salute by Erin Nissen, Lindsey Boyce, and Diana Labuda. Hunter Moore played the taps.
