APPLETON (NBC 26) — Ahead of Memorial Day, it's important we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
On Sunday, a joint veteran service organization color guard and rifle squad paid tribute to our fallen.
This is the second annual Appleton Cemetery Veteran Salute tour organized by the Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard in collaboration with other local groups.
They began with a procession across Riverside Cemetery, afterward presenting a memorial wreath and reciting a short prayer.
The tribute ended with a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
“The importance of honoring those who died while action or died while serving is something that must be done every single year just to ensure that we as Americans, as civilians, patriots, veterans never forgot why they died. And that’s to protect our freedoms, our freedoms that were given to live each day here in America,” said Eric Stadler, the Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard Chair Person.
Cemetery volunteers also placed dozens of U.S. flags at tombstones in remembrance of our fallen.
This special tribute was done in five different cemeteries all across the city of Appleton, ensuring no one is forgotten.
