Riverton honors members of the military who have passed while serving

Bill Brown tells us that 24 people turned out in the rain for the observance of Memorial Day at the Riverton War Memorial on Sunday morning.

Councilman Jim Quinn kindly shared photos that he took as the VFW 3020 and American Legion honored the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In one photo Bob Smyth holds a poppy.

After the bloody WWI battle in Flanders Field, in Belgium, the bright red flower became a symbol of remembrance for those killed in service after Canadian officer and surgeon John McCrae penned the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.”

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Bob movingly called upon us to consider the poppy and not forget to honor and mourn members of the military who have passed while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  -JMc

Published by

John McCormick

Teacher at Riverton School 1974-2019, author, amateur historian, Historical Society of Riverton Board Member 2007-2023, newsletter editor 2007-2023, website editor 2011-2023

Leave a Reply