American Legion Post 2 to hold Memorial Day ceremony at Forest View Cemetery

A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Forest View Cemetery, 1161 SW Pacific Ave. in Forest Grove. American Legion Washington Post 2 is hosting the ceremony, which opens with the presentation of the Colors and closes at noon with the raising of the National Colors to full staff. "Come join us and help honor more than 250 years of veterans serving and sacrificing for our democracy," Post Commander Dale Thaler said. Speakers include Thaler; Anna Elliott, the Neil Armstrong Middle School choir director, who will speak about her uncle's service; and Henry Reimann, the recently retired Forest Grove police chief, an Army veteran and Post 2 member. The 142nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland will fly over Forest Grove at 10:46 a.m., according to the Oregon Military Department. “It’s a great honor to fly the US Air Force’s newest fighter [F-15 EX Eagle II] over the Pacific Northwest this Memorial Day, especially because we both grew up in the local area," said Capt. Dustin Kopp, one of two pilots performing the flyovers. "It is very fulfilling to have the opportunity to pay our respects to those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice.” Students from the Neil Armstrong Middle School choir will perform, and organizers invited the public to attend. Washington Post 2 is based at the American Legion building at 2003 21st Ave. in Forest Grove. "Honoring generations who stepped up seems a daunting task, but we will do our best," Thaler said.