Chapala’s American Legion Post Seven drew a full house on Monday, June 30 to honor fallen heroes and celebrate a traditional Memorial Day Picnic.
United States Consulate foreign service officer Noah Klinger was on hand for the service in remembrance of men and women who lost their lives while serving in the nation’s armed forces, giving a solemn reading of President Barack Obama’s 2016 proclamation for the occasion.
The text opened with the words: “With courage and a love of country that knows no limits, America’s men and women in uniform exemplify patriotism at its core – stepping into harm’s way to protect our people and to safeguard the ideals that have long sustained our democracy. Those who serve under the stars and stripes embody the highest form of citizenship, and on Memorial Day, we pay solemn tribute to those brave Americans who laid down their lives to defend our freedom”
The sell-out crowd then enjoyed a relaxed social hour and the tasty feast of pit-roasted pork, baked beans, buttery corn-on-the-cob and bananas Foster prepared under the guidance of pit-master Dan Williams and event co-chairman Roy Lanti. Afterwards, many of the guests stepped on to the dance floor to work off the calories to the lively all-American repertoire performed by Noe and the Men in Black.