Gallery – Memorial Day 2025: Smithfield honors the fallen
Published 4:59 pm Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Smithfield marked Memorial Day with a ceremony at The Smithfield Center at 11 a.m. on May 26. Here, Marie Arinello, at left, and Elizabeth Shepherd and her granddaughter, Danica Meseke, present a wreath of red, white and blue flowers decorated with American flags. (Photos by Stephen Faleski | The Smithfield Times)
Smithfield’s American Legion Post 49 held its annual memorial Day ceremony indoors at the Smithfield Center on May 26, drawing a crowd of over 200 people, the largest in recent years. Clyde Basham, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran and chaplain of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, served as this year’s guest speaker. State Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Isle of Wight, and Del. Otto Wachsmann, R-Sussex, also delivered remarks, as did Smithfield Mayor Mike Smith, American Legion Post Commander Jerry Starling and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Vice Commander Chris Garrett. Smithfield Middle School’s band and chorus provided music.
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- The Smithfield Middle School band plays patriotic tunes.
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- The Smithfield High School Junior ROTC color guard presents the American and state flags.
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- Joe Lupton, a Vietnam-era veteran, salutes the flag as his wife, Levona, places her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem.
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- American Legion Post Commander Jerry Starling delivers remarks.
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- Smithfield Mayor Mike Smith delivers remarks.
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- State Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Isle of Wight, delivers remarks.
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- Smithfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Vice Commander Chris Garrett delivers remarks.
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- Del. Otto Wachsmann, R-Sussex, delivers remarks.
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- Clyde Basham, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran and chaplain of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, was this year’s guest speaker.
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- Smithfield Middle School’s chorus sings patriotic songs.
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- Ron Fravel tolls a bell for each of America’s wars.
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- Smithfield High School student Josh Gardner plays taps on the trumpet.
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- Ron Fravel, Jim Keck, Julian Leaman and Reid Lundie fire a rifle volley.
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- The crowd of more than 200 people was the largest in recent years, according to the American Legion. (Photo submitted by Tom Mastaglio)
