PRIEST RIVER — More than a million American soldiers have been killed in combat, with many more wounded and missing in action.

"Memorial Day, on the 30th day of May of 1868, is designed for the purpose of strewing flowers and otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land" said Joseph English, VFW Post 2909 and Priest River Veterans Honor Guard commander.

English read the words from the original proclamation made by Gen. John A. Logan on May 5, 1868, as he called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May each year to honor those who died while serving in the United States military.

Along with a group from American Legion Post 217 in Cusick, Wash., the Priest River Veterans Honor Guard held a ceremony Monday at Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River to pay tribute. In addition to reading the proclamation, a small group of veterans, their families and other community members gathered as the proclamation was read, the song "Taps" was played, the American Legion performed the 21-gun salute and a wreath and flag were placed at the cemetery's memorial stone.

It was a full day of ceremonies for the Honor Guard, English said, as they began the day at Seneaquoteen Cemetery before moving on to Evergreen, and then helping out Post 217 in Newport, the Cusick Indian Reservation and Cusick American Legion Hall.

"This whole program, as far as the interchanging with the American Legion and the VFW started right after World War II, and it's been going on ever since," English told the Daily Bee. "And it has worked out very well."

The schedule is the same each year for the Honor Guard and the American Legion, he said, with the addition this year of a flag retirement ceremony in Newport.

The Memorial Day tradition at Evergreen Cemetery was overseen for many years by former VFW Post 2909 Commander Henry Bergdorf, who served 18 terms as post commander in Priest River after World War II. English said he relieved Bergdorf and took over as commander about 15 years ago.

As of January 2015, Bergdorf is one of more than 500 veterans buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.