The Tomorrow River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 11346 will sponsor Memorial Day services on Monday, May 26, 2025 in the Amherst High School gym. The A parking lot at the back of the school and C9 cafeteria door should be used to enter the school building. The program will honor all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The theme of the program will be: “Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Died for Our Freedom.” Students from the Amherst Schools will be designing posters to display throughout the area.

There will be patriotic music played starting at 8:30AM. The program will start at 9:00 AM. Father Patrick Twomey from St. Olaf’s Episcopal Church will serve as clergy at this year’s ceremony. Gold Star Mother Joan Uhl will be honored. If you know of a veteran who passed away during the past year, please call Aralda Bell at 715-258-0237 to make sure that the veteran’s name will be read at this part of the ceremony. Families of veterans who passed away since last year’s program will also be recognized.

Poetry written by Carolyn Fogg will be shared at the program and at the bridge and cemetery observances. We hope to have a video presentation at this year’s program. All the pictures from past years were saved. If you want to add a veteran’s picture to that presentation, please turn the photo in to Penny at the elementary office or email a digital version to Ronnie Shulfer at [email protected]. Pictures should be ones that don’t need to be returned and should include the following information: veteran’s name and branch of service. These pictures should be turned in by Monday, May 5th.

Blue Star flags will be presented to families of those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces who have not already received one. Parents of current active duty service members who have not received a blue star flag to display are asked to contact Aralda Bell at 715-258-0237.

At about 10:00 AM, attendees will then march in the annual Memorial Day Solemn Procession to the Mill Street Bridge for a ceremony to honor all those lost at sea. From the bridge, the procession will march to the flag pole at Greenwood Cemetery for the final ceremonies along with a gun salute and “Taps”. In order to have enough street room for the band and its color guard, it is requested that cars not be parked in the street along the route of the procession. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

After the cemetery ceremony, a reception coordinated by Mary Beth Repinski will be held in the High School Commons. Everyone is invited to attend and share refreshments. Flags are placed at these area cemeteries: Greenwood, St. James, Bickel, Lower Amherst, Oak Grove, Badger, St. Patrick’s, and Hillside. Flags are provided by the veterans service office. If you discover a veteran’s grave without a flag, please contact Aralda Bell at 715-258-0237 or Michael Juris at 715-824-3829.