The Broadkiln VFW Post 6984 and Ladies Auxiliary hosted a Memorial Day service May 27 at the Odd Fellows Cemetery on Union Street. The event featured guest speaker Gunnery Sgt. James Keefer, who joined the Marine Corps at age 31, in the midst of the Gulf War. Although the war ended before he was out of boot camp, Keefer has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his 22-year military career. Keefer was awarded the Combat Distinguished Device, which is given to Marines to denote combat heroism.
Mayor Marion Jones recited "In Flanders Fields," by Lt. Col. John McCrae, a Canadian doctor, whose poem, Jones said, said was always a favorite of her mother and was perfect for the occasion.
The Rev. Paul Simonsen opened the ceremony with the invocation and led those in attendance in the singing of America the Beautiful and America.
Light refreshments were served at the VFW following the ceremony.