Proctor Journal

The Proctor area will honor the sacrifices of those who died defending our nation at the annual Memorial Day Observances Monday beginning at 10 a.m. at the Community Center.

Keynote speaker is Neill Atkins, a 1968 Proctor graduate and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned overseas from 1970 to 1972. Atkins was in the reserves from 1969 to 1975. He is a financial planner and can be heard on KDAL on Saturdays from 4 to 5 p.m. He is also the fill-in host on WDSM in the mornings.

Kerry Welsh, a 1966 PHS graduate and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, will play the bagpipes. The Proctor Community Band will play stirring marches and patriotic numbers, Proctor Scout Troop 84 will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Proctor High School senior Bekah Norton will sing the National Anthem. Mayor Stephen Anderson will extend a welcome.

Area Churches Together will provide refreshments after the observance and the band will play an additional tune or two. The Proctor Historical Society, housed in the Community Center, will be open following the ceremony. The Center contains some military exhibits.

Following the program, the Proctor American Legion Honor Guard will carry their Memorial Day tribute to the following cemeteries:

11 a.m. - Pine Hill

11:30 – Augustana

12 noon - Solway

1:15 p.m. - Twig

1:30 p.m. - Canosia – Pike

Lake

1:45 p.m. – Janzig

Hermantown

The observance in front of the soldier’s monument at Community Activity Center on Pionk Drive and First Street will continue a tradition that began in 1934 when Dan and Teresa Donovan placed the monument in front of the “Village Hall.” The memorial was moved following construction of the PACC in 2002.

The ceremony’s program follows:

Music - Proctor Community Band

Posting of Colors

Pledge of Allegiance - Boy Scout Troop 84

National Anthem – Bekah

Norton

Invocation – Pastor Pamela

Barbour

Welcome – Mayor Stephen

Anderson

Keynote Speaker – Neill

Atkins

Music

Honor Guard

Taps

Moment of Silence

Benediction

Musical Selection

Announcements

Master of Ceremonies will be Proctor American Legion Post 106 member Jake Benson.