John Mortensen's Riderless Horse (wax) sculpture for monument
Memorial Day 2005 & Post Monument Dedication Information
Here's the link to the post
event pictures. This page will be
removed at the end of June.
In years past, the Jackson
American Legion Post 43 has conducted
ceremonies on the Town Square at 9:45am on Memorial Day for the public to honor
our country's deceased veterans, and then moves to 4 other areas/cemeteries to
render honors.
Ceremonies to dedicate our new Memorial will be conducted at 2pm with many dignitaries expected, entertainment, and participation by the Wyoming National Guard. (Unfortunate, but the Guard contacted us this past Thursday to advise they will NOT be attending.) Efforts to raise funds to restore our historic 76 year old Post building at the corner of Cache and Gill Sts. will coincide with the dedication of the Post's new monument on the building grounds. (To read about the building's local history, click on this link and/or return to the Legion's main webpage with a historical timeline near the bottom.)
Plans currently call for one
or more local entities such as the Jaycees, who hold meetings in the building,
to assist with lunch. Guard cooking unit is no longer available, so we
need grills w/cooks & donations of chips, ice, drinks, water, etc. to make
this work. Bleachers are planned to be set up on Gill St. which will be
blocked off the vehicular traffic. It is expected that members of the Wyoming
National Guard will also be present (Again,
they are NOT attending.). At 2pm, a ceremony with a number of as yet
unnamed dignitaries, will unveil & dedicate the new monument (statuary
designed and crafted by local artisan John Mortenson), along with interment of
a time capsule probably by 5/18. (Items of a relevant nature for
this capsule are still being sought by the Post's Historian (& Dedication
coordinator), Walt Farmer,
733.2173. Capsule dimensions are 12 x 6 x 32.) After remarks & the
unveiling, activities will continue until 4pm.
9am - Approx. - Block off
Gill St. between Cache and Center Sts., bleachers set, Guard moves in vehicles
and gear.
9:30am - Lower flag at
Post
9:45am - Ceremony on Town
Square
10:30am - Ceremony at Aspen Hill Cemetery at the base of Snow King Mtn.
11am - Ceremony - South Park
cemetery aka Rancho Alegre.
11:30am - Ceremony at the
Wilson Bridge to honor veterans lost at sea.
12pm - Elliot Cemetery
ceremony in Wilson
11:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch
& drinks at the Legion Post with Jaycees/Lions. Possible
participation of 729th ACS from Hill AFB, UT.
1:30pm - Community Band sets
up
2pm - Dedication of
Memorial, Larry North and David Bentlage presiding.
Approx. 2:15pm (1415 hrs. to us mil types) - Flyover of 4 aircraft from the
personal air force of Dr. Richard Sugden.
4pm - Area closes, street
reopens.
The Hall will remain open to visitors and guests to eat lunch, see our efforts at its restoration, and to accept any contributions to further that goal. Other activities might include, a climbing wall, music (Jackson Hole Community Band & Dave Macfarland & his bagpipes), meeting with local veterans, and a day of congeniality. All, locals and tourists alike, are invited to attend on this honorable & nationally celebrated occasion.
For more information, to make a contribution, or arrange an interview, please contact either of the following:
Larry North at 733.7329 or email
David Bentlage, current Post Commander at
413.4493 or by
email
