Metamora’s Memorial Day service dates back to Civil War era

More photos below

(METAMORA, Ind.) – The Metamora community gathered for their annual Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday afternoon. 

The Metamora event is likely among the longest continual Memorial Day ceremonies in Indiana, if not the entire United States. 

To put it in perspective, the first national observance of Memorial Day was in 1868 and was then called Decoration Day. 

It is believed that Metamora’s event began shortly after the Civil War.  As far as organizers know, it has taken place every year since then. 

The ceremony has been organized by the Metamora Masonic Lodge since 2003.

Lodge member Robert Allen led the service which included the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, prayers, flag bearers, and guest speakers. 

On Sunday, one guest speaker was an Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His speech focused on the issue of veteran suicides. 

“Please pray for those who came back home, but never fully came back,” the veteran wrote. 

The ceremony then turned to the longtime tradition of placing flowers in the canal. People of all ages, including veterans, threw a flower into the water. Some even handed flowers to veterans. 

“The Metamora community tries to do its absolute best to focus on what Memorial Day is all about. To honor those who gave their lives, those who are serving now, those who served in the past and those who will serve in the future,” Allen said. 

He added, “We want all veterans and active military members to know that we’re always behind them and will always be behind them.” 

The longtime tradition takes place every year on the auto bridge at 2 p.m. on the Sunday before Memorial Day, rain or shine.

Here are more photos from the service on Sunday (click on image and swipe right):