The Lyle Presbyterian Church (Mound Church) held its 106th annual Memorial Day program on May 26. This program has been part of the community since 1919 when the first service was held in memory of Jean Pearl who was killed in the closing days of the First World War.
The program included music, recitations, and guest speaker Colin Dunn who served in the National Guard and is now a Bowman County Sheriff’s Deputy. Several speakers talked about the importance of Memorial Day as a day to remember those who have given their lives in service to country. Colin Dunn shared specific people he had known who gave their lives and talked about the importance of continuing to remember them.
In 1919, the students of the local school would decorate the graves, remembering all unmarked graves with flowers, and placing a flag on veterans’ graves. While the school is long gone, the community continues this practice as they walk from the church to the cemetery to decorate the graves. Veterans there range from the Civil War to the modern day.
Following the program, the group gathered for a pot-luck lunch.
The Lyle Presbyterian Church (Mound Church) is a Presbyterian (USA) church and holds services every Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Rainbow near Mound
Jean Pearl’s Grave
Rainbow near Mound
Justin’s grave
Guest speaker
Gate of the Mound Cemetery
Introducing the guest speaker
Discussing history of the Mound Memorial Day service
Local celebrity reading “In Flander’s Fields”
Our pastor running the service.