The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 3

THE PANTAGRAPH, Tuesday, May 30, 1969 A3 fr4 AO' Americans urged to guard freedom ii 'All of us have a responsibility to preserve the freedoms that these young men and women died for so Gordon Ropp 1 Wri I i i By MELINDA ZEHR Pantagraph staff Even though the United States is not at war, Americans should not just stand idle, enjoying their freedoms, one Memorial Day ceremony speaker said yesterday. "Let us all today take a pledge that we will continue to serve and to be useful in our country in the legislative halls, in the labor halls, in the medical schools or in business," said Rep. Gordon Ropp, R-Normal. "All of us have a responsibility to preserve the freedoms that these young men and women died for so gallantly." Ropp spoke during a ceremony at the American Legion Monument in Park Hill Cemetery, while si-miliar memorial services were taking place at the Soldier Monument and the Korea and Vietnam Memorial, both in Miller Park- At each of the ceremonies, children, parents and grandparents gathered, indicating a desire on the part of both young and old to keep alive the memory of those who died in combat. Prior to Ropp's address, Bloomington Mayor Jesse Smart told the 100 people gathered at the cemetery that the United States recently crossed a milestone which has made him proud.

He said this is the longest period of time the U.S. has remained out of war. However, Smart and Ropp said that milestone would not have been possible without those who in the past fought for American's freedoms. "These young men and women to whom we pay honor today have given of their lives so that this country can continue to be free it and strong," Ropp said, adding that the U.S. should not give up trying to find those who did not return or those who may still be prisoners of war.

I Homage should also be paid this Memorial Day, he said, to the 47 men who died on the USS "For they, too, in peacetime are continuing to help preserve our freedom." Ropp said the numerous flags that could be seen freely flying throughout the cemetery and at the Miller Park memorials are symbolic of Americans around the world. "God bless those young men and' women who have courageously defended our country around the; world, for those people who have-served to preserve freedom bei cause freedom is a journey and! not just a destination," Ropp said." He stressed that all Americans have a responsibility in that journey, even young people. "As young people, you have reponsibility to go to school and to learn, to be of service whenever opportunity calls," Ropp said, adding that young people also have a' responsibility to resist taking; drugs. Falls got 6 inches of snow during the early morning. Among the honored dead were some of the most recent: the 47 sailors who died April 19 aboard the USS Iowa in an explosion inside one of the battleship's huge gun turrets.

President Bush had designated Memorial Day as a national day of remembrance for the sailors. The PantagroDhLORI ANN COOK At left, Rep. Gordon Ropp, R-Normal, left, and Bloomington Mayor Jesse Smart took part in the Memorial Day ceremony yesterday at Park Hill Cemetery. The ceremony at the American Legion Monument included the playing of "Taps," above. Country honors dead from USS Iowa, wars Reporter catches a lot as she clowns around Memorial Day since I lost him," said Emma Bosch, who was guest of honor at a parade in New York City.

Her 21-year-old son was killed in the Korean War. Hundreds of thousands of people hit the nation's beaches, and while the weather cooperated over mucS of the country, it was unseasonably cold in Montana, where Great By Associated Press Americans yesterday remembered those who died for their country, from wars long past to last month's explosion aboard the USS Iowa. But many celebrated Memorial Day as the traditional start of summer's sun and fun. "I'm proud to be here. I wouldn't miss it.

My son is gone 37 years and I've never missed a Pantagraph reporter Melinda Zehr paraded around in a clown suit at yesterday's Memorial Day parade, but wasn't all smiles over the experience. By MELINDA ZEHR Pantagraph staff They say everybody loves a clown, and after being one for about three hours yesterday, I can believe that. My husband let out a good "ha," when I woke him up in full clown garb to tell him I was leaving for work. The people driving beside me got a kick out of seeing a clown behind the wheel of a Toyota pickup truck. Yesterday's editor laughed at my expense before I dashed out the door to the Bloomington Memorial Day parade lineup.

And a number of fellow rade participants, and still a larger number of people along the parade route, seemed happy to see me with a white, red, blue and black face. Even Mother Nature, who was threatening to rain on my parade, must love a clown. It didn't rain and I made people smile, but I'm just not sure I could do it again. I must not be parade material. However, it was evident that a number of the other 25 or so entrants were.

The students in marching bands who year after year pick up their instruments and march down the street were definitely parade material. The people in the color guards of the various veteran's organizations and the Girl Scout and Boy Scout representatives were parade material. And those people who ride in those fancy old cars and the woman with the miniature pony were obviously parade material. I think I was the only one, in fact, who didn't feel like parade material. of laughs at parade The PantagraphLORI ANN COOK even sat down on the curb beside some kids a few times to catch my breath.

I would get more candy maybe a wagon load. I felt guilty leaving some eager children's hands empty. And I would refrain from doing any strenuous activity, especially any which might lead to a sunburn, prior to the parade. If I could change those things and get some pointers from some other clowns, maybe But wait a minute. I was the only clown in yesterday's parade.

That probably means that even though everyone loves a clown, only a few people are cut out to be one. Maybe I should leave the job to the pros. Park Hill Cemetery, 1105 S. Morris Bloomington, said most decorations begin looking unpleasant, especially live arrangements, after about a week. Therefore, he said the cemetery on June 6 will remove all decorations except those that still look good.

The practice of cleaning up after Memorial Day is similar at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1002 Airport Road, Bloomington. Melissa Coppenbarger, secretary for East Lawn, said workers must remove dilapidated arrangements for mowing June 5. But she said thriving flowers in grave-site vases do not have to be removed for mowing. Still, being in the Memorial Day parade was exciting. Dancing to the beat of the Bloomington High School band, which was directly ahead of me, was fun.

And I kind of liked dressing up in bizarre clothes. Oh, but the best part was rounding a corner and making eye contact with youngsters. Their eyes lit up, some giggled, but most just pointed or waved. Maybe, just maybe, I could become parade material. But things would have to be different.

I would have to practice getting ready. It took me three times longer to put on my clothes and make up my face than it took to march in the 20-minute parade. I would have to get in shape. I was huffing and puffing and complaints. But just as in years past, the mass of Memorial Day cemetery color won't remain forever, even though caretakers try to keep the flowers as long as possible.

The flowers that loved ones placed throughout the long holiday weekend on graves in Bloom-ington's oldest cemetery Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 302 E. Miller St. will remain until they begin to look bad, said Doris Shepherd, cemetery secretary. The only exception, she said, is if one grave has more than the limit of two floral decorations. Warren Simmons, manager of Traditional remembrance B-N cemeteries burst with color Don't miss this lively featuring news and helpful information for today's active seniors! The Pantagraph By MELINDA ZEHR Pantagraph staff Memorial Day is traditionally a day for decorating graves, and by sunset yesterday, area cemeteries burst with color from an array of artificial and live flower arrangements.

The day, set aside to remember the dead, is one of few during the year when cemeteries pull out all stops and allow loved ones to put numerous types of decorations on graves. Many area cemeteries yesterday had staff members on hand to assist people in finding graves, answering questions and fielding.