Geneseo celebrates Memorial Day with ceremony in city park

Geneseo resident John Raschke, left, was the featured speaker at the 2008 Memorial Day ceremony in the city park. Raschke, an Army veteran who served in Korea, paid tribute in his speech to the veterans of World War II, particularly those who fought in the Battle of Midway.

The Memorial Day ceremony started at 9:30 a.m. with special music provided by the? Geneseo Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Versluis.

Taps was played by bugler Julia Buzard, with the echo played by Gregg Neuleib.

Virgil Johnson will be the master of ceremonies for the program, with an invocation and benediction provided by the Rev. Dr. Arthur Bergren of First Lutheran Church.

Also at the Memorial? Day ceremony, Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” was read by Geneseo High School senior Garrin Jost. Fellow seniors Michelle Michaelsen and Kady Patterson read “In Flanders Field”?and “America’s Answer” respectively.