Flag raising ceremony. Photo by Mel Toadvine

One of the largest crowds ever – more than 300 people – attended Memorial Day services at Lee Memorial Park, on SR82, on the edge of Lehigh Acres Monday morning.

The program began at 10 a.m. as scheduled and this year’s event was sponsored by the American Legion Post 323. Participating were the half dozen other service organizations in Lehigh.

Some of the main events at the service were the reading of fallen heroes – those who served America and now have passed away. The five- minute readings were done by Les Wade of the American Legion.

A special raising of the American flag and the POW flag was also a solemn featured event performed by the American Legion. It was first raised to the top for a few seconds, then lowered to half mast in memory of those who have died for their country.

Marilyn Sherlock of the American Legion sang the National Anthem after the raising of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance was offered by Tammy Dike of the American Legion.

Guard procees to the flag raising ceremony. Photo by Mel Toadvine

One of the traditions everywhere in the United States is the placing of wreaths on Memorial day. All the way from Arlington National Cemetery where President Obama placed a wreath to Lehigh Acres where several wreaths were placed by The American Legion, American Post 323 Riders, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 94 and Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4174 and Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus Council 6265 & Auxiliary, the BPOE Lodge 2602 and Ladies of the Elks and the Moose Lodge 2266 and its Auxiliary.

Frank Shaw, commander of the American Legion, introduced Levon Simms, a

city councilman representing District 3 in Fort Myers, who spoke of the supreme sacrifice given by fallen soldiers and those who came home and have since passed away. He said several members of his family were in the military, including his daughter, who is a commander of a Seabees group overseas.

Thousands of American flags marked the graves at Lee Memorial Park. The entrance into the park was lined with tall majestic American Flags waving in the light winds of the early morning. Several families also visited the graves of loved one who served his or her country. Graves throughout the cemetery were marked by small American flags. A lone permanent cannon sits at the entrance as if to guard the graves.

The 300 or more people sat under tents provided by Lee Memorial Park, which helps to sponsor the program. Others sat under giant oak trees in the park to shade themselves from the warming heat. Temperatures were in the low to mid 80s in the sun.

Levon Simms, a Fort Myers city councilman representing District 3 was the guest speaker at the Lehigh Acres Memorial Day services held at Lee Memorial Park on SR82. Photo by Mel Toadvine

During the ceremony poems were read by Lois McFall and Bill Allen. The sobering sounds of a bugler was head toward the end of the ceremony, followed by “the bugler from the beyond” answering. The two buglars were Bob Dan and Randy Reis of the American Legion. The program was closed with a prayer by Carol Toney. Chaplain Keith Richter closed the ceremony.

Memorial Day services are held each year at the cemetery while Veterans Day ceremonies are held at Veterans Park in Lehigh in November. Most of the veterans and service posts were open in Lehigh during the afternoon where veterans and their guests and friends were invited for lunches and refreshment.

Similar programs were held elsewhere in Lee County.

Honoring the unknown soldiers from war. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Crowds look on as Memorial Day services were held at Lee Memorial Park. More than 300 attended. This is a glimpse of part of the crowd. Photo by Mel Toadvine