By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Sunshine and blue skies made the perfect backdrop for the Memorial Day Program held the morning of May 26 in Geneseo City Park.
The annual event is sponsored by the Don Cherry VFW, VFW Auxiliary, and the Aisle of Flags. Gary Gray served as Officer of the Day and Joe Bedford was President of the Day.
Music was provided by members of the Geneseo 7th & 8th Grade Band, under the direction of Sara Hawkins and Jamie Kotovsky.
The program featured members of the Firing Squad and Color Guard – VFW, under the direction of Gary Gray. Bugler was Julia Buzard - Echo.
Todd Sieben, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran and Retired Illinois State Senator, was Master of Ceremonies of the program which included remarks from Geneseo Mayor Sean Johnson; reading of the Gettysburg Address by Jonathan Freadhoff; reading of In Flanders Field by hazel Harris; Aisle of Flags update by Steve Laleman; and the keynote speaker was Cynthia Borkgren Abraham, formerly of Geneseo, who now lives in Wisconsin and is a practicing veterinarian. She served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant colonel, retiring in 2024.
Pastor Caleb McAnulty, of Geneseo Church of Christ, gave the invocation and benediction.
Credit goes to Rhonda Borkgren of the VFW Auxiliary for the program planning.
Photos by Claudia Loucks
