Flags snapped in the breeze and the sun warmed many bystanders who came

to the Pinedale Cemetery on Monday morning to pay respects on Memorial Day.

VFW Post 4801 past Cmdr. Jim Washam, standing in for Cmdr. Ted Nelson, welcomed

people dressed in patriotic colors and uniforms, quite a number of them wearing face masks

and social distancing while visiting with family and friends.

As Lisanne Fear sat on her black American mustang, the color guard post flags behind

the cannon. Former Marine and American Legion Chaplain Randy Belton offered a prayer,

American Legion Cmdr. Mike Edison talked about the flags of “our veteran warriors” and

guest speaker Andy Nelson read a poem about war and love. Tyler Wilson of Boulder spoke

in memory of his brother Mike Wilson, who died in Viet Nam. Windy Noble and Irma

VanDerVelde, escorted by Washam, each presented wreaths to stand by the half-staff flag and

cannon. In another patriotic salute, Hailey, Reese, Brooke and Heather Noble set red, white and

blue bouquets with the wreaths. After three rounds of rifle fire and Washam’s thanks, people

lingered after the ceremony to check in with old friends and visit graves. The usual afternoon

meal at the VFW Post 4801 could not be hosted this Memorial Day but a barbecue is being

planned for later this summer.