The Honor Guard observes a moment of silence. Tina L. Scott photo.
BY TINA L. SCOTT EDITOR
A beautiful blue sky with warm temperatures and breezes made the perfect weather for the annual Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial in St. Francis Cemetery in Merrill on Monday, May 27, 2024. The ceremony was a combined program led by VFW Post 1638 and supported by members of the American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, Auxiliaries, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Knights of Columbus. In advance of the ceremony, VFW Post 1638 erected more than 100 large flags around the cemetery and Veterans Memorial area and placed 1,820 flags within local cemeteries at the graves of known veterans who served in the U.S. military. Lincoln County is one of the few to proudly continue this practice.
The local VFW places more than 100 large flags around the cemetery at Merrill Memorial Park and St. Francis Cemeteries in Merrill. Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch photo.Flags and the memorial in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch photo.Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch photo.American flags large and small … symbolic of the freedom our military died for in service to our country. Joseph Frederick photo.Flags and flowers decorate graves this Memorial Day for soldiers gone but not forgotten. Tina L. Scott photo.America: Home of the Free, Because of the Brave. Tina L. Scott photo.
A large crowd gathered to hear the Merrill City Band perform patriotic songs, watch the annual laying of the wreaths ceremony, and to honor fallen veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, by laying down their lives in service to their country. Every branch of the U.S. military service was honored. Deacon Jim Arndt gave the opening and closing prayers, John Rathke led with opening remarks and led in the Pledge of Allegiance following the National Anthem, the ladies Auxiliary held the tolling of the bell ceremony, and Steve Sabatke spoke about the new display on the backside of the marble monument that lists the names of all 160 fallen Lincoln County soldiers from all wars with the exception of the Civil War [Lincoln County was at that time still a part of Marathon County]. This year’s keynote speaker, U.S. Marine Kevin Hermening, shared about his time in captivity as one of the Iranian hostages where he was held prisoner for 440 days, along with 52 other American diplomats. His important message was one of thanks for the military personnel who trained to try to free the hostages and of gratitude and honor for the eight servicemen who lost their lives in a helicopter crash as part of that mission. He reflected on the parade and fanfare the hostages received upon their return to U.S. soil and how all of our military service men and women should have received such a welcome, but most did not.
Linda Becker directs the Merrill City Band as they perform selections prior to the beginning of the Merrill Memorial Day ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.The horn section of the Merrill City Band. Tina L. Scott photo.Deacon Jim Arndt from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church prepares to give the opening prayer. Also shown, Steve Sabatke places his hand on his heart. Tina L. Scott photo.VFW Post 1638 Commander John Rathke gives opening remarks. Tina L. Scott photo.A partial view of the crowd that came out to honor fallen veterans at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony. In the front row, participants hold the wreaths that will be placed at the foot of the memorial in the wreath-laying ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.A scout prepares to act as escort in the laying of the wreaths ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.The ceremonial laying of the wreaths. Joseph Frederick photo.Denni Radloff tolls the bell during the Memorial Day ceremony. Joseph Frederick photo.Large flags provide the perfect backdrop the patriotic music performed by the Merrill City Band. Tina L. Scott photo.U.S. Marine Kevin Hermening was this year’s keynote speaker. Tina L. Scott photo.Kevin Hermening pauses as he talks about real heroes. Tina L. Scott photo.Members of the Honor Guard wait and listen during the ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.An area veteran proudly waves his American flag when he stands up along with other veterans, as the different branches of service are recognized. Tina L. Scott photo.Joseph Frederick photo.The Honor Guard observes a moment of silence. Tina L. Scott photo.The Honor Guard from Merrill’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Schmitt – Manecke -Donner Post 1638 prepare to fire their salute. Tina L. Scott photo.LeRoy Fischer gets emotional speaking at the end of the Memorial Day ceremony. Fischer was instrumental in creating the Merrill Veterans Memorial and is handing over the reins to the Knights of Columbus and VFW Post 1638. Tina L. Scott photo.Ricky Smith plays Taps on the bugle at the Memorial Day ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.
Michael Caylor shared the story of the Talbot trumpets and bugle (see last week’s Merrill Foto News for the complete story), and, after the 21-gun salute, for the first time in many years, those same instruments played Taps in Merrill, ringing out their clear, haunting notes on the sounds of reverent silence at the cemetery. After the Memorial Day ceremony concluded, the instruments officially changed hands as Mike Talbot, the family’s historian and keeper of the instruments, formally entrusted them to the keeping of VFW Post 1638 in Merrill. A display case will be built to showcase the instruments and their story and to honor the two men who once played them, and Mike Talbot’s request that any fallen Merrill soldiers who return to Merrill for burial following future wars or conflicts will be honored by the playing of Taps at their funerals using those same instruments.
Michael Caylor tells the story of the Talbot brothers, their bugle and trumpet, and their service to the fallen Merrill veterans. Tina L. Scott photo.Ricky Smith plays Taps on the bugle at the Memorial Day ceremony. Tina L. Scott photo.From L to R: Mike Talbot holding the trumpet that once belonged to and was played by his uncle, Clifford Talbot; John Rathke, Post Commander for VFW Post 1638; and Corey Dornbrack, Senior Vice Commander for VFW Post 1638, holding the bugle that once belonged to and was played by Melvin Talbot. All three are standing at the grave of the late Melvin Talbot who died in 1963. Tina L. Scott photo.In the foreground, Ricky Smith plays Taps on Melvin Talbot’s historic bugle, while Ben Heninger echoes his notes in the background, playing Clifford Talbot’s historic trumpet. This special rendition of Taps using the late gentlemens’ instruments was a special tribute to fallen veterans and to the two gentlemen who played Taps at their funerals on these very instruments many many years ago. Tina L. Scott photo.Joseph Frederick photo.L to R: Mike Talbot, John Rathke, and Corey Dornbrack. Mike Talbot officially entrusts his father’s bugle and his uncle’s trumpet to VFW Post 1638. The handoff takes place, fittingly, at the grave of Mike’s father, Melvin Talbot. Tina L. Scott photo.
