MARTINSBURG — On Friday many car enthusiasts began the holiday weekend off at Rosedale Funeral Home and Cemetery for its 3rd annual Memorial Day Celebration. The family friendly event featured a car show, a veteran’s salute and much more.
General Manager and Funeral Director Michelle Walls Durst said the event has been popular over the years. They host a no-entry car show, which drew an array of impressive vehicles. She said the event is a good way to get together to honor those who have died while serving their country in the United States military.
The Memorial Day celebration began with the arrival of the cars for the show. Organizers offered free food items for guests to enjoy while they were checking out the cars on display. Children could have their faces painted or partake in some of the games staff set up for the event. Several door prizes were awarded and one lucky winner took home a new gas grill.
Prior to the car show awards ceremony, members of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFJROTC) were assisted by military veterans for a veteran’s salute and Presentation of Colors. Rosedale staff then lowered the American flag to half staff.
Rosedale’s staff also provided some history on the national holiday during the presentation.
“Originally known as decoration day, it originated in the years following the Civil War,” the emcee said.
“It became an official federal holiday in 1971. The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history, thus requiring the establishment of the country’s first national cemetery.
“By the late 1860s, many Americans were holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. While it is unclear where this tradition originated, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace or Memorial Day.”
The emcee continued, telling the audience how Gen. John A. Logan, a leader of an organization for northern Civil War remembrance, called for a nationwide day of remembrance at the end of May.
Local members of the Boy Scouts of America were invited to the event, with many of them seen placing flags on the graves of veterans. In addition, they were tasked with selecting their favorite vehicles in the show.
Scout’s Choice First Place was awarded to Tim Cross, who showcased a custom championship white sixth generation Ford Mustang. Honorable Mention was awarded to Scott Stroop with his red C3 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible.
Top placing award recipients included Mark Crawford, Donald Shirley, Charlie Runion, Bill Huffman, Curley Schell and Dale Gifft.
Rosedale Funeral Home and Cemetery is located at 917 Cemetery Rd., Martinsburg. For form information, visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/west-virginia/martinsburg/rosedale-funeral-home/1429 or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RosedaleMartinsburg.