Memorial Day observance to continue

Cheney's annual Memorial Day observances are under new management, and for the most part, are taking place as they have in the past.

For years, the Cheney Cemetery Association organized and sponsored the activities, which included a breakfast, walk to Fairview Cemetery and observance ceremony. But in a late-March press release, the association said its board of directors decided at their February meeting they could no longer continue the practice, saying it was "time for a change."

"Any civic or veteran organization wanting to put on such a program is welcome to do so," the association said in the release.

One of those organization's is the Cheney Veterans of Foreign Wars. Post 11326 commander Nancy Strongin said she heard about the association's decision in mid-March.

"It just got to be too much," Strongin said was the reason she found behind the association's decision.

Strongin said she immediately began making phone calls to line up other groups to keep the observation going, noting that it "is extremely important for the community." The result is that most of the traditional activities will still be taking place this Monday.

Memorial Day begins with a breakfast sponsored by the American Legion Post 72 at their headquarters, 116 College Ave. downtown from 8 – 10:30 a.m. Cheney Cub Scout Pack 356 will assist with the pancake breakfast, which has a suggested donation of $6 for children ages 4–12 and $8 for those age 12 and older. Children 3 and under are free.

In the past, breakfast participants have walked from downtown Cheney, up Second Street and Salnave Road to the cemetery. It's the one feature Strongin said won't happen this year, as the short time frame to put the ceremony together prevented applying for a parade permit with the city and receive police escort.

"If you want to walk, please stay on the sidewalks, follow the laws and use safety," she added.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at Fairview. Cheney Cub and Boy Scouts will assist with the color guard and flag placements while music will be provided by Cheney High School students. Allan Gainer, Cheney mayor from 2006 –2009, will be the guest speaker.

Strongin feels the Memorial Day observance is important enough to the vitality of the city that it needs to be a community-planned and produced effort, not one handled by one or two groups.

"It's not just service members (being honored), it's their families too," she added.

She also hopes other community groups will step forward to not only help with Memorial Day, but also the maintenance of Cheney's cemeteries. While the association is still active, it's membership is getting older and dwindling.

Two of Cheney's three cemeteries are located at entrances to the city, and the first thing visitors see upon arrival.

"You have one chance to make a good impression," Strongin said. "Do you want (visitors) to see weeds?"

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].