• Article Photo. Veterans offer tribute to fallen soldiers at Evergreen Cemetery's Civil War monument.
    Veterans offer tribute to fallen soldiers at Evergreen Cemetery's Civil War monument.
  • Article Photo. Chaplain Paul Coyle prays during a ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.
    Chaplain Paul Coyle prays during a ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.
  • Article Photo. The Color Guard stands at attention.
    The Color Guard stands at attention.
  • Article Photo. Matt Lash and Megan Ternus play taps.
    Matt Lash and Megan Ternus play taps.
  • Article Photo. Area veterans have new helmets for events such as today's Memorial Day ceremonies.
    Area veterans have new helmets for events such as today's Memorial Day ceremonies.
  • Article Photo. 'Anchors Aweigh:' Caleb Bendull's reflection is seen in his tuba as the VSHS band plays.
    'Anchors Aweigh:' Caleb Bendull's reflection is seen in his tuba as the VSHS band plays.
  • Article Photo. Veterans march toward the Cedar River bridge for the tribute to all Americans buried at sea.
    Veterans march toward the Cedar River bridge for the tribute to all Americans buried at sea.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Gold Star family members lay the wreath during the Veterans Park service.
    Gold Star family members lay the wreath during the Veterans Park service.
  • Article Photo. The VSHS marching band again participated in the Memorial Day events.
    The VSHS marching band again participated in the Memorial Day events.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Veterans fire a salute to U.S. service personnel buried at sea.
    Veterans fire a salute to U.S. service personnel buried at sea.
  • Article Photo. Auxiliary members march to the river for the wreath dropping ceremony.
    Auxiliary members march to the river for the wreath dropping ceremony.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. The parade to the river begins...
    The parade to the river begins...

Vinton veterans from the Veterans of Foriegn War, American Legion and AMVETS gathered at local cemeteries Monday morning for the annual Memorial Day observations.

Taps, prayers and gun salutes honored those who have served their country and died defending the freedoms of Americans. 

The march to the bridge began at 10 a.m. A wreath honoring those buried at sea was lowered into the Cedar River while the VSHS band played "Anchors "Aweigh." A ceremony then took place at Riverside Park, followed by a ribbon cutting for the display of an anchor donated by the family of the late Vince Blank.

VSHS band members marched with the veterans and auxiliary members to the bridge. VSHS brass section members Matt Lash and Megan Ternus played taps for the ceremonies at the cemeteries.