Clutier American Legion members fire a three-volley salute for fallen comrades at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in rural Clutier on Monday, May 26, as part of the post’s annual Memorial Day services. Legionnaire Robert Kroymann, far right, salutes as a volley is released. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

CLUTIER – Seventy years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of “nationwide prayer for permanent peace.” This past Monday, American Legion posts including those in Clutier and Dysart held services and ceremonies to honor and mourn the more than 1 million men and women who have lost their lives defending America – fighting for peace – and those who have passed away as veterans.

On Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) in Clutier, Hora-Machacek American Legion Post 453 began the morning with a flag-raising ceremony at the post home after which they traveled to four nearby cemeteries including Clutier, Oneida, Holy Trinity, and St. Wenceslaus to conduct services. Legionnaires also traveled to National Cemetery in Vining to participate in a fifth service.

After arriving just ahead of 10 o’clock at St. Wenceslaus west of town, the honor guard including the post’s newest member, Pfc. Avery Blocker, processed into the cemetery along the far west drive for the short but solemn service. Facing east toward St. Vaclav Catholic Oratory, the service was led by Legion Commander Richard Wiebbecke.

“Eternal God, we thank Thee for this hallowed soil,” Wiebbecke prayed. “Make us worthy, we pray Thee, to guard our heritage of pride through all the years to come. In memory of these, our dead, may we pledge to our beloved land the same service and the same devotion. And, O Lord, secure to us evermore the peace for which our comrades died.”

Legionnaires then conducted a three-volley salute after which taps was played.

Pfc. Avery Blocker, center, a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, participates in Memorial Day services this past Monday morning at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in rural Clutier with Hora-Machacek American Legion Post 453’s honor guard. Blocker became a member of the Legion this past December. Also pictured, Bernard Nachazel (far left) and Shannon Svoboda (far right). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Both before and after the salute, birdsong filled the picturesque cemetery while multiple eastern kingbirds flitted about, alighting on the tops of gravestones in an almost sentry-like manner for the veterans now resting in eternal peace – their job done, but never to be forgotten.

An eastern kingbird perches on top of a headstone at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery this past Monday. A great many kingbirds were peacefully present in the cemetery that morning in a seemingly sentry-like manner. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Legionnaire Lawrence Svoboda places a flag on a veteran’s grave at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in rural Clutier as part of the Legion’s Memorial Day service. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Legion Commander Richard Wiebbecke prays during the service. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER