Memorial Day in Madison County

American Legion Posts honored veterans at cemeteries throughout Madison County for Memorial Day May 25.

Commander Cliff Morgan of American Legion Post 89 led five Memorial Day ceremonies from Sheridan to Virginia City. According to Morgan, 519 veteran graves in Post 89’s service area were honored with the American flag and a 21-gun salute. American Legion Post 31 conducted a ceremony at the Twin Bridges Cemetery and American Legion Post 65 had ceremonies at the Ennis and McAllister cemeteries.

The warm Memorial Day was a welcoming contrast to the several cold years in a row. American flags waved in the wind on the occasional gravestone. Flags clustered in some spots, where military service was a family tradition. Generations of veterans are represented in Madison County, both in the cemeteries and in communities.

Madison County is home to more than 1,000 veterans, nearly an eighth of the county’s population, according to the Veteran Affairs Office.