Memorial Day ceremonies were held Monday at the Cortez cemetery and American Legion Post 75.

A wreath honoring fallen soldiers at sea was placed on the Dolores River during an event in Dolores.

Prayers and speeches were delivered, a bagpipe player performed, there were three-volley rifle salutes and taps was played at both events. At the American Legion, breakfast was served to veterans and their friends and families.

In a speech, American Legion Honor Guard Chaplain John Shriner explained Memorial Day was began by President Lincoln to honor Civil War casualties, and has since evolved to honor all those who have fallen in U.S. wars.

Memorial Day is a symbol of the nation’s respect for veterans, he said, and so is the way we respect the fallen at funerals. Arlington National Cemetery is a good example of that respect, as explained by “Sacred Duty,” a book written by Tom Cotton, a veteran and Republican Senator from Arkansas.

Between deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan Cotton served at Arlington with the 3rd Infantry regiment, the oldest continuing active unit in the U.S. Army. The Arlington ceremonial unit, known as “The Old Guard” performs 20 funerals per day.

“It is never routine, they always strive for perfection,” said Shriner, reading excerpts from the book.

“We go to great lengths to recover fallen comrades and honor them in the most precise and exacting ceremonies. We set aside national holidays to remember and celebrate them.

Their stories of heroism, sacrifice and patriotism remind us of what is best in our selves and teach our children what is best in America. In doing so, we make sure our fighting men and women in the world know that they to will be remembered in death, and that their families will be cared for.”

The local American Legion Post 75 partners with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5231 and the Mesa Verde Unit of the Civil Air Patrol to continue the tradition of properly honoring fallen soldiers during funerals of local veterans.

“We provide dignified and professional funeral services to fallen veterans in our own area, and average 2-4 funerals per month,” Shriner said. “Each one is special to that fallen veteran to the veterans family. We strive to make each one perfect.”

A local coach asked whether the Legion would help organize a summer baseball league for ages 13-19, he said. A locally made quilt honoring veterans, rifles and a Tuffy Security safe and gift certificate were donated for the raffle.

So far, $800 has been raised and three American Legion baseball teams were formed this summer for different skill levels. They will play other American Legion teams in Durango, Pagosa Springs and Farmington.

“We agreed that there is a need to promote youth sports, to get them outside playing organized sports and away from computer screens,” said Rich Patch, American Legion chaplain.

The fund is also available to support other local youth sport team programs, he said.

For more information on the new baseball team, and the youth sport program contact the American Legion at (970) 565-8151.