ROCHELLE — Bad weather may have cancelled the annual Memorial Day Parade Monday morning, but it couldn’t stop Rochelle from celebrating all those who have served our country.
Despite overcast skies, which led to threats of rain and thunderstorms, Rochelle V.F.W. Post 3878 conducted its annual Memorial Day service inside their post home rather than outside at the veterans’ memorial on the west end of Lawnridge Cemetery.
V.F.W. Commander Bill Baumgarner said it was the fourth time he can remember that the parade has been cancelled because of the weather. The rain also prevented V.F.W. members from posting flags at the cemetery as they usually do.
As Senior Vice Commander Guy Bayes said, most of the flags are casket flags, which are made of cotton. “You don’t want to get them wet,” he said. “It’ll take months to dry them out.”
“As long as two comrades survive, so will the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States render tribute to our heroic dead,” Baumgarner told the crowd.

“On this day, forever consecrated to our heroic dead, we are assemblled once again to express our sincere reverence.”
The ceremony included placing a variety of wreaths upon a symbolic grave, representing all the lost service men and women, along with a few speeches, prayers, a 21-gun salute and taps. Ironically, the 21-gun salute, which was conducted outside, began in a slight drizzle and ended in a heavy downpour.
It was pointed out that over one million Americans have lost their lives in defense of our country over the years.
In pointing out that it will soon be the 75h anniversary of D-Day and the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty to end World War I, Lydia Roberts wanted the crowd to know that the ceremony was to honor the veterans of all wars, not just the two world wars.
“We offer a solemn tribute to all comrades wherever they may reside,” Baumgarner said.
Roberts also pointed out that there are 801 names of local veterans on the bricks making up the veterans’ memorial.

During his remarks, Chuck Roberts - the main speaker - noted that he is “favorably impressed” with the way young people are responding to willingly defend our country, including all the sacrifices they are making in order to do so.
“If words can’t repay our debt, our actions can,” he said.
Despite the change in location, Baumgarner said he felt the ceremony went the same as if they had been outside.
“The weather kind of dampered the crowd a little bit, but we still had a good turnout,” Auxiliry Conductress Ashley Simms said. “It had the same affect. It still affected our hearts of the U.S. hereos.”