Decoration Day service returns to Riverside Cemetery June 7

New Hamburg Legion past president Bob Berg, Decoration Day committee member Gail McMullen and past president Ross Eichler stand among the graves at Riverside Cemetery, where the third annual Decoration Day service will take place on June 7 beginning at 2 p.m. Galen Simmons photo

By Galen Simmons

The New Hamburg Legion and the Township of Wilmot are inviting the wider community to Riverside Cemetery next month for the third annual Decoration Day service since it was brought back as an annual tradition in 2024.

The service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, with the Legion Colour Party marching in to open the ceremony. This year’s service will again include music from the New Hamburg Concert Band and Sir Adam Beck Public School band, as well as participation from local dignitaries.

While the event includes a focus on honouring local veterans, organizers say Decoration Day is also meant to recognize all family members, friends, neighbours and community members laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.

“We’re really trying to promote it to the community,” said Decoration Day committee member Gail McMullen. “Not just veterans; the community.”

Before the ceremony, members of the 822 Tutor Squadron Air Cadets will help place small Canadian flags at the graves of veterans buried at Riverside. Families are also encouraged to visit and decorate the graves of their loved ones.

Legion past president Ross Eichler said the service is not intended to replace or take away from Remembrance Day, but to provide another opportunity for people to gather, reflect and reconnect with local history.

“We will be honouring the veterans as well because the Legion is doing what we do,” Eichler said. “But the main emphasis is the entire cemetery, the people that are buried there.”

Legion past president Bob Berg said Decoration Day is also about preserving the stories of local families whose names are part of the community’s history.

“Everybody used to know everybody in a small town like this. They don’t anymore,” Berg said. “It’s falling through the cracks. If we can keep those stories alive and in mind to people … we should do something about it.”

Organizers have placed a greater emphasis on promotion this year in hopes of encouraging more residents to attend, including families connected to the Legion’s veterans-banner program.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Parking will be available across the street from Riverside Cemetery in the ODG and Arcadian Projects parking lots.

Details:

Location: Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg

Date: Sunday, June 7

Time: 2 p.m.