While rainy weather kept away large crowds to Sunday afternoon’s local Memorial Day ceremonies, a dedicated few attended services in Mathews and Gloucester to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to this nation.

In Mathews

American Legion Post 83, Mathews, held its Bell Ceremony to honor members who had died in the past year. Post commander Tim Roscher welcomed the few hearty souls in attendance, with Ruth Machen leading the group in singing the National Anthem.

Following the invocation by chaplain Henry Clark, post adjutant Morey Alexander read the names of the 11 members who passed away over the past year—Charles C. Brown, O.J. Cole, John W. Dixon, Lester M. Gillenwater, Dennis K. Gryder, William A. “Roney” Leitner, John R. Morgan, Leon Owens Jr., C. Nelson Smith, John W. Ward and C.T. Wilkinson—tolling the bell for each of the fallen comrades.

After the brief ceremony inside post headquarters, the group adjourned to the front porch where the rain had l...