Beautiful day for Memorial Day

Veterans, Civilians, grandmothers, and children gathered Monday at the Veterans Memorial Plaza on the grounds of the Leelanau County Government Center to honor the fallen service members who died in military service Monday, May 25.
Members of VFW Post 7731 in Lake Leelanau organized the event on a Sunny Monday morning.
Rachel Amalfitano sang the Star Spangled Banner, and Alan Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
The Memorial Day Invocation was presented by Father James Siler of St. Mary’s Church Lake Leelanau. 
Lake Leelanau St. Mary Choir students and Amalfitano sang America The Beautiful. 
Michael Lehnert was the program's keynote speaker. 
Jim Simons gave a building project update and open house invitation at VFW Hall, which is raising funds for building improvements.
Gene Kelly instructed the Honor Guard Salute and “Taps,” while the St. Mary Students ended the program with a singing of “God Bless America.”
Community members sang: The Army Goes Rolling Along; The Marines’ Hymn; U.S. Navy Anthem “Anchors Aweigh”; U.S. Air Force Song; Semper Supra (US Space Force); Semper Paratus (U.S. Coast Guard).
Memorial Day is a solemn, reflective day for fallen heroes, whereas Veterans Day is a day of gratitude for living and deceased veterans “In Flanders Fields” is prominently used for both Memorial Day (late May) and Veterans Day (November 11) in the United States, as well as Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth, serving as a key, year-round link between the poem, the poppy symbol, and honoring those who have served or died in war. The poem is frequently read, and red poppies (inspired by the poem) are distributed by the American Legion to honor fallen service members.