Members of the Adams County Honor Guard offer up the 21-gun salute during Memorial Day services at the West Union Cemetery. (Photo by Amber Grooms)

Services pay tribute to county’s fallen soldiers – 

By Patricia Beech – 

Adams County residents last weekend took time out of their busy holiday schedules to attend Memorial Day services at local area cemeteries.
During the weekend-long celebrations – hosted by Adams County’s American Legion members, Ladies Auxiliary members, and Sons of the American Legion members – monuments are dedicated, wreaths are laid, the names of the fallen are read, and prayers for peace are offered up.
The Young-Moore Post of the American Legion and the V.F.W. Walter Harris, Jr. Post 3400 of West Union hosted Memorial Day services on Sunday, May 27 at the Kirker Cemetery and the West Union Cemetery (Route 125).
The Winchester American Legion Post 242 memorial services were also held Sunday at the Winchester Cemetery. The North Adams High School Band provided the music. The guest speaker was Mr. Gene Toole from the Winchester Church of Christ.

At Monday’s service at the Tranquility Community Church, the Pledge of Allegiance is led by Boy Scout Troop 290 and Cub Scout Troop 290. (Photo by Mark Carpenter)

Memorial Day services at Evergreen Cemetery near Peebles were held Monday, May 28. Army veteran Paul Worley was the featured speaker.
In Cherry Fork memorial services were held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Cherry Fork Cemetery. Mr. Tom Putnum was the guest speaker and music was provided by the North Adams High School Band.
The Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and the Wallingford-Thompson post 594 hosted Memorial Day services Monday at the Locust Grove Cemetery. Emcee for the event was United States Coast Guard veteran, Brian Seaman. The featured speaker, Randy Franklin, spoke about his father, Bill, a Korean veteran who just completed the Veterans Honor Tour to Washington D.C.
Services were also held at the Manchester Cemetery on Sunday afternoon and on Monday at the Tranquility Community Church, with Defender editor Mark Carpenter as the featured speaker.