Ottumwa Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony - 2007
A memorial service to honor fallen veterans was held Monday May 28, 2007 at the Ottumwa Cemetery.
At Noon the bugle sounded reville, then as the notes of a medley of service music began to play, the Color Guard from the 224th Engineer Battalion marched up Sunset Hill to the Veteran's area. Flags were flying and umbrella's had been closed as the rain that had peppered spectators dwindled and then stopped.
Miriam Kenning sang a moving rendition of Onward Christian Soliders followed by a stirring eulogy delivered by Jeff Hendred. One more hymn, Nearer My God to Thee, was sung and the Colors were remounted. Taps sounded followed by a 21 gun salute. As the service medley played one last time, the Color Guard marched down the hill and out of sight.
There were a number of people in attendance for the ceremony and dry eyes were few. Ottumwa Board of Cemetery Trustees Member Otis Bowles deserves a round of applause for organizing the ceremony. There's a good chance this ceremony could become a Memorial Day staple as Board members were overheard discussing next year's ceremony.