By Mary-Justine Lanyon
It was the late Joan Moseley who started the Memorial Day observance in Running Springs. Kevin Somes, the long-time president of the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, promised her he would continue the tradition.
Kevin Somes has continued the tradition of holding a Memorial Day observance in Running Springs. (Photos by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
On Monday, May 26, a small crowd gathered at the flagpole in Running Springs to do just that. After saying the Pledge of Allegiance – led by chamber Vice President Mike Lee – Cathy Clemons read Memorial Day messages from the White House and USAA.
This year was particularly significant, Clemons said, as WW II ended 80 years ago in 1945 and the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago in 1975. On this day, she read, “We remember the courage of these heroes and the enduring cost of freedom.”
Clemons then led the crowd in singing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” after which Somes gave a brief history of Memorial Day, which began as Decoration Day. He then read the poem “In Flanders Field,” which Moseley always read.
Following the singing of “America the Beautiful” and “This Land Is Your Land,” Somes asked for a moment of silence for those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
The veterans in attendance then introduced themselves: Armand LeSage (Army), Steven Peter (Air Force), Phillip Mastriano (Navy), Cody Clement (Marines), Nicholas Apgar (Army) and an Air Force veteran who did not give his name.
With the singing of “God Bless America,” the observance came to an end.
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