Memorial Day Remembrance

On May 25, American Legion Post 63 and the City of Winter Garden hosted a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park to honor the city’s fallen servicemembers. The event was led by David Kassander, Commander of American Legion Post 63, and commemorated those who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

The keynote address was delivered by Jessica Moore, Commander of the American Legion Department of Florida and a U.S. Navy veteran who served in assignments throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Congressman Daniel Webster and Winter Garden Mayor John Rees provided additional remarks.

Veteran organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), also participated in the ceremony. The Winter Garden Police and Fire Rescue Departments served as the color guard, while Scott Gration of Post 63 delivered the invocation. Geoff Bashioum of the Winter Garden Fire Department performed the National Anthem, God Bless the USA, and America the Beautiful.

The ceremony included a roll call honoring Winter Garden service members who made the ultimate sacrifice, as members of local veterans’ organizations placed commemorative wreaths in their memory. This remembrance was followed by a flag-folding ceremony by Post 63’s Honor Guard and concluded with a moving rendition of Taps performed by Chris Singh, Post 63’s Service Officer.