Memorial Rememberances - from times past and always appreciated.
We are grateful for those who have served to protect our freedoms and for ancestors whom we pay homage to and remember with appreciation. We definitely are also thinking about those we love whom we always enjoy being with as new memories are made.
We are standing by the "Ireland Memorial" gate
at the entrance to the Martin cemetery.
Sam's Uncle Wayne Ireland made the gate.
Sam, Karen, Phyllis, and Roy
by the grave of their parents, Harold and Mabel,
in the Martin cemetery.
May 2009
The "Memory Wall" at the Martin cemetery
includes blocks in memory of Sam's two uncles killed in World War II,
Melvin (1920 - 1943) and Oscar (1918 - 1945).
The Memorial Services at the cemetery
we have attended included a reading of "In Flander's Field" by a
BCHS student who had attended Boy's State or Girl's State that year.
I have been trying to remember who in our family did that.
Was it you?
Of course, the program always included the presentation of the American flag
and reciting of the "Pledge of Allegiance."
A patriotic talk was typically given by a member of the American Legion.
Following the program there was a good opportunity to visit
with family and friends attending, some of whom were from out of town.
Remembering Grampa Harold and Gramma Mabel
on Memorial Day, 2012.
(Rachel, Shannon, Scott, Jenna, Brittney, Kristine, and Matt)
for the Memorial Day commemoration each year,
and each flag was a memorial to honor
Bennett County veterans no longer living, who had served their country militarily.
are plots previously purchased for Sam and Narene
and for Roy and Barbie.
Karen and Bill have a plot near graves of Bill's relatives,
including his father, which is nearby and close to the road.
Barbie's parents and other relatives of the Brown family
are also buried in the Martin cemetery.
Following the service at the cemetery,
descendants of the Howard and Mary Ireland family
always gathered for a family reunion.
The first ones I remember going to were at Harold and Mabel's
and at Bert and Curly's.
Later they were held at the Masonic Lodge in Martin
where family gathered for a potluck social.
These occasions always provided enjoyable visiting and catching up on family news.
It was a given that the original siblings would have a card game going,
to which others interested could join.
Descendants of the original Howard and Mary Ireland family
rotated by families to be in charge of these potluck gatherings
after they began being held at the Masonic Lodge.
Due to ongoing concerns about Covid-19, this year the Memorial Day luncheon
has been postponed to Sunday, July 12th, to keep family members safe and healthy.
