Central High marks Memorial Day with outdoor ceremony; tradition has lasted 103 years

It’s a tradition that has carried on for more than 100 years at La Crosse Central…the high school’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, outdoors along Losey Boulevard.

Students, veterans, and many others gathered Friday morning for the early observance of Memorial Day. The local event is now in its 103rd year, and usually happens the Friday before the holiday. That also coincides with Central’s graduation ceremony, later the same day.

The main speaker for Friday’s ceremony was graduating Central senior Jonah Larson, who will enter the Army after getting his diploma. Jonah paid tribute to service members who have died for their country.

“Their sacrifice allowed me to grow up in a country, where a young black child from Ethiopia could become an internationally known crochet prodigy,” he said. Jonah has become a celebrity for his crocheting ability, appearing on several TV shows when he was younger.