Collin College (RH) Fall Registration 2023

Memorial Day event returning to Olde City Park

by | May 25, 2022 | Latest, Uncategorized

Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who have given their lives in the service of the country and reflect upon the scales of war.

Residents and veterans of Wylie are invited to honor those men and women in a Memorial Day program held Monday, May 30, at Olde City Park.

American Legion Hale-Combest Post # 315 is partnering with the city to provide the program.

Chuck Flesch, American Legion member and Marine Corps veteran, said there are two parts to the Memorial Day program.

The first part, the half-staff ceremony, will be from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. Flesch said that military protocol dictates the flag be flown at half-staff beginning at dawn, but the Legion lowers the flags at 8 a.m. in Wylie to allow residents to attend.

By regulation, the flags go back to full staff at noon, Flesch said, adding that the Memorial Day Ceremony will be from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Mitchell Swann, commander of the American Legion post in Wylie, will oversee the morning program, and Flesch will manage the afternoon program.

Flesch will be one of the speakers this year, along with Mayor Matthew Porter and members of the American Legion Auxiliary.

“Memorial Day is a special day to me because it provides the opportunity to pause and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Porter said. “Honoring their memory and the family and friends left behind is an important way that we can demonstrate our thankfulness.”

The city will be presenting Blue Star and Gold Star banners, Flesch said. Blue Star banners are for those with family members serving in the military during periods of war or hostilities, and Gold Star banners are for families of service members who were killed or died while serving.

“We will be folding a flag and presenting it to Mary Fagerstrom,” Flesch said. “Her husband, Brad Fagerstrom, passed away this past December. He was a United States Marine and Vietnam War veteran.”

Three wreaths will be presented during the event as well. The first wreath — which is red — honors those currently serving. The second wreath is blue and honors veterans. The final wreath, which is white, is placed in remembrance of those killed in action. Flesch said in the past, Gold Star family members have placed the white wreath.

“That is what Memorial Day is about,” Flesch said. “It’s not about Veterans Day or Armed Forces Day. It’s about honoring those killed in action.”

The Wylie Fire-Rescue honor guard will present the colors with an accompaniment from Wylie Fire-Rescue Pipes and Drums.

Additionally, Randall McGuire will be the bugler. There will also be a rifle team, said Flesch, which will perform a military salute at the end of the program.

“Everything we are supposed to do as military, we render all those honors,” Flesch said. “It’s a great ceremony if you have never seen it.”

Memorial Day was initially known as Decoration Day and originated in the years following the American Civil War. The first Decoration Day was celebrated on May 30 because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. It became a federal holiday in 1971.

Every Memorial Day, there is a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

WEDC Gift Guide jpeg

0 Comments

Order photos

Related News

Pirates blank Titans in Homecoming

Pirates blank Titans in Homecoming

Wylie High (2-1, 1-0) picked up the win on homecoming night against South Garland (2-1, 0-1) at Wylie ISD Stadium.  The final score was 49-0 and the Pirates finished with 396 total yards; 274 of which were rushing yards.  Wylie quarterback Jagger Bale was a...

read more
Annual peanut butter drive kicks off in September

Annual peanut butter drive kicks off in September

The North Texas Food Bank is collecting peanut butter throughout the month of September. Annually, the North Texas Food Bank collects unopened jars of peanut butter and distributes it to in-need families across North Texas. Last year, the area nonprofit raised...

read more
Second chances

Second chances

Two-time heart transplant recipient, Gynovel Henry, withDr. Abigail Souryl at UT Southwestern prior to undergoing surgery in April that also included a kidney transplant. Courtesy photo Gynovel Henry is alive today because some people cared enough to donate the gift...

read more
County to hold hearings on proposed budget, tax rate

County to hold hearings on proposed budget, tax rate

By John Kanelis Collin County Commissioners Court is set to approve a fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24) budget along with a tax rate that will increase the tax on the average homestead in the county. Commissioners will meet Monday, Sept. 11, to conduct a public hearing on...

read more
30 years of rodeo days

30 years of rodeo days

A longtime family favorite event is bringing rodeo action for all ages to town Friday and Saturday, Sept.8 - 9.  The Wylie Championship Rodeo, hosted by the Wylie Chamber of Commerce and city of Wylie, will celebrate its 30th year. The gates open at 6:30 p.m....

read more
Homebuyers moving farther from Dallas

Homebuyers moving farther from Dallas

The Inspiration development in Wylie ranked No. 6 for closings with 290 at an average base price of $684,000, according to recent data. On the lower end, Bridgewater in Princeton ranked first in closings with 686, and third in starts at an average price of $314,000...

read more
Parent warned about popular app

Parent warned about popular app

By Bob Wieland School officials are warning students and parents about the potential danger of the popular Saturn calendar and class scheduling application for high school students. The developer of the app says, “Saturn is the only calendar that supports the...

read more
Collin College Fall Registration 2023 300x250