Health concerns cancel Memorial Day ceremony

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Health concerns cancel Memorial Day ceremony

Fri, 05/01/2020 - 04:00
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EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Clay Ray Veterans Association has never missed a Memorial Day ceremony, until now. American Legion Post 236 Commander Chris Stull announced the post cancelled this year’s Memorial Day ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s really in the best interest of our honor guard, auxiliary and veterans everywhere that we cancel the annual ceremony to keep everyone healthy and safe,” Stull said. “We hope people will still take time to recognize and honor our veterans from the safety of their homes this Memorial Day.” Now celebrated on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day began as a response to the Civil War. The carnage – which left about 620,000 soldiers killed on both sides – led to many wanting to commemorate the dead. In 1864, women began placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers lost in the Battle of Gettysburg. Waterloo, New York, began holding an annual service in 1866. Waterloo later won congressional recognition as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Gen…

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