This year, Linn Grove Cemetery will continue its more-than-a-century-old tradition of honoring the service members who died while serving the United States Armed Forces.
The 2022 ceremony starts at 9 a.m., May 30, at Linn Grove Cemetery, 1700 Cedar Ave. For over 144 years the staff at Linn Grove Cemetery, on behalf of and in conjunction with various Weld County military organizations, honored veterans past and present with a formal Memorial Day ceremony.
“The Memorial Day ceremony allows us all as a community the ability to reflect and recognize our servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present, who have protected our rights and freedoms through their sacrifices,” said David Naill, cemetery manager.
Sheriff’s Office Captain Delivers Keynote Address
Army veteran and Weld County Sheriff’s Office Captain Matthew Turner will deliver this year’s keynote address. The ceremony will also feature Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars Aux. Dept. President Ron Boone, and an official proclamation by Greeley Mayor John Gates. Chad Young will provide patriotic music and the ceremony will additionally include participation by:
- the Greeley Police Department Honor Guard,
- Poudre River Young Marines,
- Centennial State Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution,
- and numerous additional veterans’ organizations.
The ceremony generally lasts an hour. The Memorial Day Ceremony will also have the Iwo Jima and Vietnam floats on display compliments of local veterans’ organizations.
Weather permitting, Linn Grove will post the Avenue of Flags which consists of nearly 200 veterans’ casket flags along the main avenues of the cemetery.
The ceremony will proceed on the cemetery grounds rain or shine.
Volunteers Needed
Linn Grove Cemetery staff ask for the community’s help to place about 2,000 American flags on veterans’ graves throughout the cemetery. Anyone who wants to volunteer can come out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27 or May 28 at Linn Grove Cemetery, 1700 Cedar Ave.
Volunteers can show up at any time during those volunteer hours and work as long as they want. When volunteers get to the cemetery, they should check in at the office, pick up flags, instructions, and a map for placement locations.
Cemetery staff recommend volunteers wear comfortable clothes and shoes—as they might dress for a hike—and consider bringing a hat, gloves, and water bottle.
If a large group or club of 20 people or more want to volunteer, officials ask that they call 970-350-9386 in advance to coordinate with staff.
For more information about Linn Grove Cemetery, go to www.greeleygov.com/services/linn-grove.
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