Harvey Baker, Citizen Journalist | RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice
Cloudy skies didn’t stop more than 400 people from gathering at Riverside Cemetery on Saturday for Fort Morgan’s Memorial Day ceremony. Organized by American Legion Post 19 and joined by the 140th Fighter Squadron from Buckley Space Force Base, the event honored fallen service members.
American and service flags lined the grounds, shifting softly in the breeze. Many headstones were decorated with small flags – placed by family members and volunteers as quiet tributes.
As folks began to arrive, flags representing each service branch lined the cemetery, swaying in the breeze. Dozens of graves had been marked with small flags – placed earlier by volunteers and family members – a quiet but moving tribute.
The ceremony started right at 10 a.m., bringing together veterans, active-duty personnel, local leaders, and families to remember those who gave their lives.
A military flyover was scheduled but had to be called off because of the cloud cover, disappointing some longtime attendees who look forward to it each year. While nine other Colorado cities received scheduled flyovers, Fort Morgan’s weather did not allow for safe conditions.
Air Force veteran Ed Zorn, who helped coordinate the flyover, noted that while the jets couldn’t appear, the spirit of the event remained intact. “We were ready. But even without the planes, we came here to remember. That’s what matters most,” Zorn said.
The ceremony carried on with full honors. The Honor Guard’s 21-gun salute broke the morning stillness, followed by the soft, mournful notes of Taps – carrying over the crowd as they stood in quiet reflection.
Fort Morgan Councilman Bill Garcia took the podium to share a few words. “Memorial Day reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy came at a cost,” Garcia said. “It’s our duty to remember those who gave everything – and to pass that remembrance on to the next generation.”
To end the morning, the crowd gathered at Rainbow Bridge, where a wreath was released into the South Platte River – a final, quiet gesture to honor the fallen.
Though nature altered one element of the program, the heart of Memorial Day remained fully intact. In Fort Morgan, remembrance was not defined by what was missing – but by what endured: unity, reflection, and unwavering respect for those who served.