By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

American Legion post commander Josh Plenert got his wish for this year’s Memorial Day service at Hillsboro Memorial Park.

The annual observation ordinarily has light attendance but Monday’s service drew a crowd of 200 onlookers who listened in respectful silence as names of deceased servicemen from Hillsboro were read.

“From where I stood right up front it looked like we had a higher than usual turnout and the members of the legion appreciated it,” Plenert said.

Wayne Friesen and Ron Suderman read names of nine servicemen killed in action during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and 332 veterans who came home and died since. Servicemen recognized spanned from World War I to the present.

Specially honored were five veterans who died in the last year.

Flags billowed along both sides of the circle drive through the park. Observers sat in chairs and on park benches, stood, and leaned against motorcycles.

Rod Koons sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” before Legion chaplain Rod Bolstad opened the service with a prayer and Plenert gave opening remarks.

About 150 turned out for a steak dinner at the Legion post after the services.