Legionnaire and flag bearer Robert Glenn – “a forever patriot” in the words of Post Commander Kevin Eikamp – stands at attention as a member of the honor guard on Monday, May 25, at Gnagy Cemetery in rural Benton County during Dysart American Legion Myers-Gordy-Pippert Post 335’s Memorial Day ceremony. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – Local American Legion honor guards observed a sunny and terrifically windy Memorial Day this past Monday by conducting rifle salute ceremonies at cemeteries throughout northern Tama County and beyond.

Both Dysart and Clutier held services on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, while Traer did so the day prior on Sunday, May 24.

The honor guard from the Dysart American Legion Myers-Gordy-Pippert Post 335 set out just before 9:00 a.m. Monday. Legionnaires, including Post Commander Kevin Eikamp, Post Adjutant Billie Van Egmond, and Past Commander Fred Koch, took a bus to the rural Benton County cemeteries of Houghton-Sawyer and Gnagy located southeast of Dysart followed by Rampton to the northeast and then Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Dysart proper.

A solemn parade down Main Street followed with Legionnaires accompanied by members of the Union High School marching band.

The morning ended at Dysart Cemetery with the raising of the flag and the honor ceremony.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Amidst the sound of spring birdsong, Van Egmond said a prayer at each of the rural cemeteries: “Heavenly Father, thank you for letting us gather here today to remember the fallen comrades that we’ve had in the past years. Bless the families of those fallen people and bless the United States Military. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

As she has since 2022, accomplished local bugler Elizabeth Lampe, the daughter of Matt and Sherri Lampe of Garrison, performed taps to end each rifle salute – her trumpet’s song poignantly emanating across the surrounding fields just starting to lush green.

Bugler Elizabeth Lampe of Garrison performs taps at Houghton-Sawyer Cemetery in rural Benton County on Monday, May 25. Lampe performed at each of the cemeteries the Dysart Legionnaires visited Monday morning. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Dysart American Legion Post Commander Kevin Eikamp, left, and Past Commander Fred Koch, right, work to fold the flag at Gnagy Cemetery in rural Benton County ahead of the Memorial Day rifle salute after the halyard broke, leading the veterans to improvise. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Under the direction of Post Adjutant Billie Van Egmond, left, members of the Dysart American Legion Myers-Gordy-Pippert Post 335 honor guard release a round of volleys into the air as part of the rifle salute conducted at Gnagy Cemetery in rural Benton County this past Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Bugler Elizabeth Lampe of Garrison performs taps at Gnagy Cemetery in rural Benton County on Monday, May 25. Lampe performed at each of the cemeteries the Dysart Legionnaires visited Monday morning. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The entrance to Rampton Cemetery northeast of Dysart in rural Benton County awash in American flags on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER