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Memorial Day service to be held at Coral Ridge Cemetery

By Staff

Besides honoring veterans who lost their lives in service to their country, Memorial Day services will serve another purpose –highlighting the service of those currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A freefalling economy has ripped the national headlines from overseas events in the past year as kitchen table issues have taken more prevalence, but organizers of this year’s Memorial Day services in Cape Coral said the day will remind citizens the country is still fighting two wars.
“Our boys are still coming home in coffins,” said Bob Rieser, honor guard captain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 8463 in Cape Coral.
Rieser and other VFW members will be on hand to celebrate Memorial Day at 10 a.m Monday during a ceremony held at Coral Ridge Cemetery, replete with a 21-gun salute, a rendition of Taps, and a barber shop quartet singing “God Bless America” and the national anthem.
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and Cape Coral Mayor Jim Burch will give speeches, and the names of soldiers interred at the cemetery will be read.
Monday’s service marks the ninth year of Memorial Day ceremonies held at Coral Ridge Cemetery. The public is invited to attend.
“It’s been getting bigger and bigger every year,” said Nicole Capogna, Coral Ridge office manager.
Burch said Memorial Day and the service Monday will highlight the ongoing service of soldiers, despite the harsh economic times being endured in the Cape.
“You have days like this that are designated every year so people don’t forget,” Burch said.
Honoring fallen soldiers, though, is the main purpose of the day.
“It’s a day we remember our brothers and sisters who didn’t come home. It’s also remembering the families of prisoners of war or missing and action. They don’t have a grave to go to,” Rieser said.