Memorial Day Service to feature aerobatic pilot
The Thayer County Memorial Day services, held each year in front of courthouse, will feature a fly over this year during the singing of the national anthem.
American Legion Post 180 Commander Lyle Bucholzer organized the event scheduled to take place at approximately 10:10 a.m., Monday, May 27, on Memorial Day.
Harry Barr, senior pilot at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, will fly his P-51 Mustang aircraft “Barbara Jean” over the ceremony on Fourth Street in Hebron.
Barr has been flying since 1954 and has been flying with Duncan Aviation since 1956. According to a short biography, the pilot tries to fly every day and especially enjoys aerobatics and air shows.
A native of Clarinda, Iowa, Barr moved to Omaha in 1955 and worked as a line boy for Lang Aircraft. Donald Duncan, also of Clarinda, acquired Lang Aircraft and Barr continued his employment at Duncan Aviation. Today he is the “oldest pilot and oldest employee” at the company.
Barr is an early member of the Midwest Aerobatics Club, competing in numerous contests, organizing competitions for other aerobatic pilots, and performing air show routines. He has been a mentor to many young adults, helping them to further their aviation careers and in 2007, received the FAA “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.” He is also a member of the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame.
Area Services:
Hebron: Opening ceremonies will take place Monday May 27, at 10 a.m., in front of the courthouse with the advancement of colors by combined VFW Post 5328, American Legion Post 180, Sons of the American Legion and Oregon Trail Post 180 Riders.
Guest speaker for the event will be John Brueggeman, lay pastor at the King of Kings Bible Church.
A welcome address will be conducted by American Legion Post 180 Commander Lyle Bucholzer and the national anthem will be performed by Sue Yoachim. During this time, “Barbara Jean,” a P-51 Mustang airplane piloted by Duncan Aviation senior pilot Harry Barr, will perform a flyover.
At approximately 10:45 a.m., the ceremony will move to Rose Hill Cemetery for laying of the wreaths by the American Legion Auxiliary and 21-gun salute led by Joe Hergott, Sgt. at Arms.
Thayer County “Court of Honor Flags” are to be raised on the courthouse lawn at 7 a.m., and retired at 4 p.m. The service organization commanders of American Legion Post 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5328 would appreciate any and all community involvement in this worthy effort to honor our departed veterans.
Hebron Boy Scout Troop 305 will hold a flag retirement ceremony following the cemetery services. The troop is not accepting flags at this time.
Belvidere: A Sunday morning Memorial Day service, May 27, will take place in the United Church of Christ at 10 a.m. Remarks will be given by Korean War veteran Dave Rinehart, of Bruning.
Locals are invited to visit the Belvidere cemetery to view the Avenue of Flags following the church service.
Bruning: The Durham-Mammen American Legion Post 166 will hold a Memorial Day service, Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m., at the Bruning Opera House. Immediately following, honors will be rendered at the Bruning Public Cemetery and the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Hubbell: The Hubbell Legion Post 317 will hold Memorial Day services in Chester, Hubbell, and Mahaska, Kan., Monday, May 27.
The services begin at the Chester City Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., move to the St. John Lutheran Cemetery at 10 a.m., then move to the Zion Lutheran Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., and the Lamb (Williams) Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. At 11:20 a.m., services will be held at the Mahaska, Kan., cemetery followed by a final service at 11:45 a.m., at the Hubbell Cemetery.
