Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Adams County marks Memorial Day
Flags flap in the wind Friday at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. The flags were added in observance of Memorial Day on May 25.
Martin and Pam Gering place flowers at the grave of Betty L. Gering on Friday morning, May 22, at the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery.
Volunteers erected 186 large flags around the cemetery and 327 small flags on individual graves Friday morning, May 22, in observance of deceased veterans on Memorial Day.
Volunteers build five new flagpoles with nameplates honoring deceased veterans Friday, in time for Memorial Day observations. From left, are Bo Gingrich, Jeffrey Staley and Jeff Kissler. Also pictured is Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1146 Cmdr. Mike Mills.
Flags fly in the breeze Saturday morning at the Lutheran cemetery in observance of Memorial Day.
RITZVILLE - Military veterans and community members gathered Friday morning at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery to honor veterans with flags placed on graves and around the cemetery.
Jeff Kissler, a Ritzville native who retired after 23 years in the U.S. Army and returned home a year ago, led the charge of volunteers erecting more than 186 large flags around the cemetery as well as 327 small flags on individual gravesites.
Kissler said the large flags with deceased veterans names included on the flagpoles were made possible by donation.
"When a veteran is laid to rest, if the family wants to donate a flag or donate $50 to the VFW to cover the cost of the flag, pole and nameplate, those are provided," Kissler said.
Five new flagpoles were fitted with nameplates Friday, including one for Air Force Veteran and former Ritzville Mayor John R. Miller, who passed away in 2019.
Kissler took the reins over on the project from Dennis Greenwalt, who has been organizing the Memorial Day activities for the past several years.
A flag was also placed at Klay M. Crady's memorial statue in front of the Eagles Hall, to honor him as a past worthy Eagles president and veteran.
"We wanted to honor both his service to his country and to the Eagles," Kissler said.
Kissler, who will be taking over as VFW Post 1146 in mid-June from current commander Mike Mills, said he would like to bring more recognition to area veterans.
"Without a military base close by, we don't often hear about veterans," Kissler said. "There's not as much military to civilian exposure."
Kissler said if residents have an active duty military family member or past military veteran they would like to see recognized, to contact him through the VFW.
Kissler also emphasized the need for community members to realize the difference between the national holidays recognizing veterans.
"Memorial Day is to honor our fallen; Armed Forces Day, which was last weekend, is to honor active duty, reserve and National Guard who are currently serving; and Veterans Day is to honor all veterans," Kissler said.
After playing taps at 11 a.m., Kissler raised the main flag at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery Monday to half mast from 6 a.m. to noon. He then raised the flag to full staff from noon to sunset before retiring it.
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