The arrival of Memorial Day weekend often signifies a multitude of things. It typically marks the conclusion of the school year and the beginning of summer. It can also serve as a time when pools are opening and businesses are closed in honor of the holiday. Most importantly, Memorial Day, officially observed on the last Monday in May, is a day set aside to honor those who have died during active military service.
In Owensboro, this weekend is for remembering local heroes and their sacrifices, celebrating the opening of many public pools and recognizing that several offices will be closed and sanitation pick up schedules will be altered in honor of the holiday.
Thursday, May 23
The Lieutenant Robert Moseley Chapter of the Kentucky Society of National Society Sons of the American Revolution will conduct its annual Memorial Service to honor the first veterans who lived in Daviess County Kentucky after the Revolutionary War. The service will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Moseley Square Cemetery at Fifth and Triplett Streets behind Bowen Tire. A cross bearing the name of the patriot and a flag will be displayed to show appreciation for what these brave pioneers did to form this great nation.
Friday, May 24
The American Legion will be placing American flags on the gravesites of veterans at Rosehill-Elmwood Cemetery and Owensboro Memorial Gardens on Friday morning.
According to local veteran advocate Mike Swift, the auxiliary will be meeting at VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 696 at 8 a.m. Friday morning before heading out to place flags at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery and Resurrection Cemetery. Swift said the VFW is also responsible for the cemeteries in Stanley and often receives help from local citizens and veterans in maintaining some of the cemetery properties.
“That’s something I think would be nice,” Swift, a Vietnam veteran himself, said, “if they put a flag on my grave to show I served.”
Swift said the flags will be retrieved from the various graveyards on Tuesday morning.
VFW Post 696 will also be hosting a Flanders Field Poppy Dedication in recognition of World Poppy Day on Friday at 2 p.m. on the north lawn of the post, near the riverfront. The red poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to symbolize remembrance for military personnel who have died in war.
Gold Star parents Cathy and Tommy Mullins worked alongside 15 Daviess County High School students, in conjunction with Volunteer Owensboro, to clean and refurbish poppy flowers and white crosses for the ceremony. New poppies were added and all of the crosses repainted, to ensure a total of 113 each to represent the 113 Kentucky fallen in theater since September 11, 2001.
In addition to the reading of “In Flanders Field,” 13-year-old KY Bluegrass fiddler Mackenzie Bell will be playing the National Anthem.
Saturday, May 25
The Glenn Family Services Memorial Day event will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Owensboro Memorial Gardens Field of Honor located at 5050 Kentucky Highway 144. This annual event was designed to pay tribute to those who have honorably served our country and are no longer living.
This year’s ceremony will feature music, a gun salute and guest speakers retired Ky. Army National Guard Operations Supervisor Melanie Wallace and her husband Sgt. 1st Class Scott Wallace.
In addition to the remembrance ceremony, Saturday also marks the opening day for several local pools and spray parks.
Legion Park, Kendall-Perkins Park and Smothers Park spray parks will all be open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
Atlantis Swim and Sports Complex at 3905 Carter Rd. will be open for the first time this season on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Combest and Cravens Pools will be open on Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Diamond Lake Resort will be holding its Memorial Day Celebration and Golf Cart Rodeo.
The celebration will commence with a touching flag raising ceremony in front of the Pit Stop Grill. Golf Cart drivers will then be tested in their skills at driving blindfolded, following directions and pouring water into a cup while driving at full speed backward. Those who wish to test their driving skills at the third annual Golf Cart Rodeo are encouraged to bring their own golf cart or rent one from the resort at 7301 Hobbs Road. (270)299-4900
Monday, May 27
Owensboro City Hall, the Owensboro Transit System, Owensboro Sanitation Department and Parks Department administration offices will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
Due to the holiday, the sanitation collection schedule will be modified for all residential and commercial customers.
There will be no trash collection on Monday, May 27. All routes will be delayed one day with Friday routes being collected on Saturday, June 1.
The City of Owensboro salutes those Americans and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
