Salem’s Memorial Day observances began at city hall with a wreath laying ceremony prior to the annual parade. Shown is Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey laying the memorial wreath. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The Salem AMVETS Post 45 Honor Guard provided a rifle salute during a wreath laying ceremony at city hall. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

While Memorial Day serves as a day to honor those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, it also serves as an opportunity for families to gather and enjoy each other’s company like 8-year-old Rilyn Chipps and Terri Chipps. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is the Salem High School “Pride of Salem” Marching Band, which performed the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs under the direction of Band Director Hannah Dickson. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

As always Salem’s finest were stationed along the parade route Monday to direct traffic and ensure participants and residents could enjoy the parade safely. Shown is Patrolman Jake Hayter directing traffic ahead of the parade’s arrival. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Chaplain of the Day Pastor Scott Davis of Hanoverton Christian Church offered the invocation and benediction for both the wreath laying ceremony at city hall and the memorial service at Hope Cemetery Monday. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Doug Brannon once again served as President of the Day for Monday’s Memorial Day observances. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Honorary Parade Marshall Bill Goodchild raised the flag Monday with the assistance of Salem AMVETS Post 45 Honor Guard Sergeant Lester Sheppard and Honor Guard Member Caryal Emelo. Shown from left are Emelo and Sheppard. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

(Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The reading of “The Gettysburg Address” was given by Levi Moyer. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The reading of “In Flanders Field” was given by Sean Sanders. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The reading of “Response to Flanders Field” was given by Kendra Knight (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Gage Brannon offered a reading of a patriotic poem. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The commanders of several area veterans organizations took posts on either side of the mock grave for the wreath laying at Monday’s memorial service. Shown on the left side of the grave from furthest to closest are American Legion Officer Caryal Emelo, VFW Auxiliary President Gage Brannon. AMVETS Auxiliary President Kim Crosser, and Sons of AMVETS Commander Buddy Gasparik. Shown on the right side of the grave from furthest to closest are American Legion Commander Kevin Seguin, Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Jim Moffet, AMVETS Commander Rod Hughes, Vietnam Veterans of America Commander Jerry Wright, and Disabled American Veterans Commander Dave Oesch. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Speaker of the Day retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Christoper Stone, a Salem native, enlisted in the United States Army in February 2005, serving as an Army Musician; Logistics and Training Non-Commissioned Officer for the 434th U.S. Army Signal Corps Band at Fort Gordon, Georgia; Property Book Officer for the 25th Infantry Division Band at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Operations Non-Commissioned Officer for the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Training and Support Non-Commissioned Officer at Fort Lee, Virgina; Training and Senior Support Non-Commissioned Officer for the 82nd Airborne Division Band at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Operations Seargeant and Platoon Seargeant for Fort Sam’s Own 323rd  U.S. Army Band during his 20-year career. Stone said that before his military service that he, like many, did not fully appreciate the meaning of Memorial Day and the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day but that as his career progressed, he “became all too familiar with the true meaning of Memorial Day.” Stone said that while he completed over 1,000 musical missions and earned several awards and honors, what mattered most was his role in coordinating final musical honors for fallen soldiers. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The traditional performance of Taps was preceded by a three-volley rifle salute by the Salem AMVETS Honor Guard and a canon salute by the Salem Cannoneers. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

In keeping with tradition, students from the Salem High School Band offered a performance of Taps with an echo during Monday’s memorial service. Shown is Bugler Gerson Samayoasolis. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)