Molly Sommer, a second-generation bagpiper residing near Historic Maplewood Cemetery, quietly paid homage to fallen soldiers after the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. She played Amazing Grace on her bagpipes as she walked among the gravestones.
Attendees had gathered at Historic Maplewood Cemetery, where Crown Point’s Memorial Day parade concluded on Monday, May 25, 2026. Sommer, whose grandfathers both served in the military, made it a tradition to perform at the cemetery each Memorial Day. Although her grandfathers are not interred there, she expressed her dedication by saying, “I love to do it to pay my respect.”
Before Sommer’s tribute, chairs set for the Memorial Day service were taken down, and most participants from the earlier event had left. The parade and ceremony, which began at Joliet Street, drew numerous attendees who sought shade from the sun under umbrellas and trees.
During the tribute, Post 20 Commander Kevin Dvorak greeted the participants, while Perry McLemore from Southlake Christian Church offered the invocation and closing prayer. A wreath-laying ceremony honored Dana and Dawn Stewart, recognized as a Gold Star Family, in memory of their son, USMC Cpl. Ian Wesley, who died in 2004.
Dawn Stewart expressed the enduring pain of her loss, saying, “Twenty-two years later, it’s still hard.” Those present listened to speeches by Crown Point Mayor Pete Land and U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (D-Highland).
The keynote address was delivered by Stephany Leonard from Valparaiso. She shared her experience as a veteran, mother, and widow of a veteran. Leonard’s husband, Jesse Meredith, a U.S. Army National Guard member, succumbed to PTSD and took his life in April 2014. Leonard spoke candidly about her struggles, emphasizing that sharing her story is a way to prevent shame among veterans and military families dealing with similar issues.
She encouraged seeking support, saying, “I also want to encourage people to seek support sooner than I did. For a long time, I convinced myself I needed to keep pushing forward, but eventually, I learned healing does not happen through silence.”
Leonard concluded with a poignant reminder: “As we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I hope we also remember the human side of service — the families behind the uniforms, the struggles that sometimes continue after war, and the lives still quietly fighting battles every single day. Lead with kindness. Be patient with people.”
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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