Memorial Day Events in Shreveport 2012

Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  Too many people think of Memorial Day as just the first official three day weekend of the summer, or a day off work to grill and sit by the pool.  That's all well and good but take a moment to remember the reason for the holiday.

Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who died in service to our nation.  You can read about the history of Memorial Day here.

We're flying the flag at chez SIGIS and have the front walkway lined with small flags.  I put this arrangement together this morning (pictured left) for the grave of the fallen Vietnam soldier that Steve and I have adopted at Greenwood Cemetery.  We'll place it this weekend in time for the annual Memorial Day service at the cemetery.  I'm not sure yet of the date and time of he Greenwood Cemetery ceremony; I believe it's on Wednesday this year at 1:00, but I'll confirm and update.

Observations around Shreveport will include a service at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville:

On Monday, May 28 beginning at 12:00 noon Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery located in Keithville will host a Memorial Day ceremony honoring our country's fallen military personnel.  

General Charles Campbell of the United States Army (Retired) will be featured as the Keynote Speaker at the event.  Colonel Ted Cox, United States Army (Retired) will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is located at 7970 Mike Clark Rd. in Keithville, LA. 

Sunday, the Paradise Baptist Church on Hollywood Ave. will host a Salute to Veterans Program with mayor Cedric Glover as speaker:

This event will take place on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 5:00 p.m., at the Paradise Baptist Church, 1706 Hollywood Ave., Shreveport, LA., Rev. Robert C. Hudson, Pastor. 

There will be a 30 minute musical prelude performed by a 20 member wind and string ensemble starting at 4:30 p.m.   

This ensemble includes music educators from throughout the Ark-La-Tex.  A variety of patriotic music will be performed.

There will be a ceremony at Hillcrest Cemetery in Haughton at 9:00 a.m. Monday.  If the Greenwood ceremony isn't until Wednesday we will probably attend this one.

For the readers, you can't go wrong with Jules Crittenden's massive "Combat Reads" post from 2010.

If there's anyone on the planet who has not yet read Marcus Luttrell's Lone Survivor, I'd add that to the list.  I'm currently reading his latest work, Service.

And since we still have to eat on Memorial Day, after we've paid tribute we'll grill something and probably watch some baseball.  Instead of my usualy BBQ chicken I think I'll do a brisket this year and make this pretty salad.

I'll continue to add updates of local events and I come across them.  The local American Legion post always does their traditional casting of the wreath of the waters of Cross Lake but I can't find any info on that yet.  I'm sure there are plenty of other events scheduled as well.

Come back for updates!

Updated 5/25/12:


The Times has its list of events today.  The Greenwood Cemetery event is in fact Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Other events:
The Lowe-McFarlane Ameican Legion Post will again host the "casting the wreath upon the waters" at 2:00 p.m.