Beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures Monday made for pleasant surroundings in  honoring those who died while serving in this country's armed forces.

 

The Becker American Legion Post 193 Honor Guard and Rifle Company performed observances at several area cemeteries during the day, with the final service conducted at the Becker Cemetery. Many families stood in honor as the Legion members carried the colors into the site.

 

In addition to groups of people visiting cemeteries on Memorial Day, members of the Becker American Legion and Ladies Auxillary held their annual Memorial Day Dinner for the Becker community from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Becker Community Center.  

 

This dinner has been held for several years in Becker and was the brainchild of auxiliary member Bernice Anderson. She and a group of others wanted to do something special for the community on Memorial Day, so they came up with this dinner.

 

Monday, the auxiliary  served over 250 people, one of their largest turnouts in several years. This is the auxiliary’s biggest fundraiser for the entire year. With the profits from this dinner, they are able to continue to support and run various “giving” programs.  

 

“We have a devoted group that puts this dinner on, many hands make the work light,” says Auxiliary President Paula Hinds. “It takes lots of planning and super volunteers to make it a hit.” 

 

Many “thank yous” are necessary to the individuals and groups that perpetually serve this Memorial Day event including the auxiliary, the families of the ladies, boys and girls scout troops, Becker American Legion Honor Guard, gracious people who baked the hams and turkeys, businesses in town and their donations, those who ordered the food, people who stopped in to help and the staff at the Becker Community Center. 

 

“We could not have done it without you,” said Hinds. 

 

“We had 25 tables setup with eight people at a table,” she said. “What a wonderful group of people we had  to come and support the Becker American Legion.”  

 

The winner of the basket drawing was Conrad Jacobs and the winner of the bucket of Vines licorice was Eugene Kolbinger. 

 

“We also are so indebted for all the service members present and past who helped make America a safe place to call home,” Hinds said. “This is one reason there is a Memorial Day and we are very blessed to live in this country we call the USA!”