The City of Hartford’s Memorial Day Ceremony was held at Sawyer Park on Monday, May 25 which followed the Memorial Day parade.

The ceremony began with Hartford Mayor Dennis Regan's welcome address.

"We are gathered to pay tribute to those who died in service to our country. On a day like this, we also think about those we knew who aren't with us anymore. Who they were, what they meant to us."                                                

The Parade Marshall Franklinn Tennis was recognized during the ceremony. He is a member of the American Legion Post 19.

"We are here to pay tribute to all of our Veterans, from all wars past and present. Who lost their lives in events of our nation. We are here to salute those heroes today. We must also remember all of our Gold Star Mothers who sent their sons or daughters into war to save our wonderful country."                                               

Tennis enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954.

Hartford Post Commanders were introduced, including United Vietnam Veterans of Hartford Dan Kutzke, American Legion Post Mary Millikin and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8834 Rod Lehl.  

Music from each military branch was performed by the Hartford City Band.

The guest speaker yesterday was the Washington County Veterans Service Officer Kurt Rusch, who addressed the crowd with a powerful message.

"On Memorial Day, we want people to recognize the weight of this day and what it represents. We want them to feel the loss and the grief. The personal cost that so many families have endured. Over time, that feeling has changed for me. And the more I talk with Veterans and Gold Star Families and the community in general, the more I've realized that this day is not meant to shut out joy. Remembering the fallen with gratitude honors them. It's a day to be thankful. A day to recognize what they fought for. Our families, our communities, our freedoms and our future."  

Rusch served in the United States Marine Corps.

Hartford’s Community Chorus performed "God Bless the U.S.A."

The Benediction was presented by the American Legion Chaplain Jeff Warner and the Placement of the Flowers was presented by Cub Scout Packs 3741 and 3794.

Echo Taps was performed at the end of the City of Hartford's Memorial Day Ceremony.

The entire Memorial Day Ceremony is available on WTKM's podcasts, "WTKM on Demand."