Thursday, May 22
Join local veterans at the Steamboat Cemetery to put flags on graves and practice the Memorial Day Service at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22.
Flags are being placed at the Hayden Cemetery also on Thursday, May 22, at 6 p.m. for anyone who would like to help.
Monday, May 26
Local veterans will be performing a Memorial Day Service at the Steamboat Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26. All are invited. Bus service will be provided from the transit center, starting at 9:30 a.m.
A Memorial Day service will be at the Yampa Cemetery at 11 a.m. and the Oak Creek Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday, presented by the Bird-Howe Post 189.
The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hayden Cemetery is at 6 p.m. Monday, May 26. All are invited, and the Legion Post at 22 S. 3rd Street will have free burgers and hotdogs afterwards.
Wednesday, May 28
Local veterans will be taking the flags off of the veterans’ graves at the Steamboat Cemetery, for those who would like to help.
Schedule of events and press release from local Steamboat Springs American Legion; May 2025
MEMORIAL DAY INFORMATION
Decoration Day started in 1868 when Commander and Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic issued general order 11, that the 30th day in May, designated for the purpose of strewing flowers or otherwise decorating graves of those who died in defense of their Country.
States began adopting the day and it became a National Holiday known as Decoration Day. The day became a tradition to not only recognize deceased veterans, but also to decorate and remember family members. It was not until 1971 when the “last Monday” in May would become a National Holiday known as Memorial Day.
James Crawford, the founder of Steamboat Springs, started the first Decoration Day in Steamboat Springs with a picnic on what is now called Dream Island. Decoration Day became an important community event as this became a day when not only the townspeople, but the ranchers and farmers all gathered at the cemetery not only to remember their past relatives by decorating graves, but as a time to put the spring work down and spend time with neighbors and friends after a long winter of isolation.
The first Decoration Day to honor veterans was started in 1922 when the newly formed Leo Hill American Legion Post 44 placed flowers on two graves of deceased Civil War veterans and one World War I veteran. The Legion and, starting in 1946, VFW Post 4264 have conducted a Memorial Day service every year to honor local veterans that have passed on.
Unfortunately, today Memorial Day signals the first summer three-day weekend for getting outdoors and doing summer activities. Most forget that paying tribute to our Nation’s veterans on this specific day should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be repaid by individual Americans by honoring the nation’s deceased veterans and preserving their memory and thus their service and sacrifice.
This year, the Memorial Service will honor one Routt County Soldier who died during all the wars from World War I through the War on Terrorism. During this period, 64 of the thousands that served, died during the war. From WWI, 21 died, from WWII 36 service members lost their lives. The Korean War claimed four Routt County soldiers and two were killed in Vietnam. Iraqi Freedom claimed one soldier.
The Service will be the traditional lowering of the flag, and the placing of a memorial wreath on the veteran monument. Also, tribute will be paid to the Missing in Action from all wars and those who may still be held as prisoners of war. The ceremony will end with the traditional 21-gun salute and taps.
This year tribute will be paid to the follow Routt County Soldiers.
- WWI — George Lawson from MacGregor; killed in the battle of Meuse-Argonne in November 1918
- WWII — Kenneth Shibata from Mt. Harris; killed in Italy in July 1944
- Korea — Lenord Officer from Steamboat Springs; killed in Oct. 1951
- Vietnam — John Vialpondo from Steamboat Springs; killed in 1968 and David Fogg killed in 1969
- Iraqi Freedom — Mark Anthony Lawton
Since the roads are narrow and parking is limited in the cemetery, the Steamboat Transit will provide bus service from the Transit Center starting at 9:30 a.m. with the last bus leaving at 10:30 a.m. Buses will return right after the conclusion of the service. If at all possible, please plan to ride the bus to and from the cemetery. Steamboat Police and Sheriff Departments will also assist with traffic and crowd control.