BEATRICE - A brief Fourth of July Ceremony was held in Beatrice Saturday, honoring those who have fought for this country.

A Beatrice area motorcycle group made up of veterans took a part of their Fourth of July holiday weekend to honor the men and women who have sacrificed for their country.
The American Legion Riders Post number 27 conducted a motorcycle parade through downtown Beatrice, traveling from the Veterans Club in north Beatrice, south to the downtown area, and to Veterans Memorial Park. The park contains several walls with the names of veterans from the area who have fought in the various conficts.

From there, the riders traveled east on U.S. Highway 136 through east Beatrice. Small groups of local residents observed the parade as it moved east to Evergreen Home Cemetery.

This year, an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery had to be canceled because of fears over large gatherings at that time, and how that could affect the number of coronavirus cases. Heavy rain also did its part to change the schedule.

But on the morning of the Fourth, an American Legion Honor Guard conducted a gun salute at the military veterans section of the cemetery, with taps following.
Across the U.S., public health officials urged Americans to hold more muted celebrations, given the spike in coronavirus cases.

Many communities decided to scrap public fireworks displays, parades and other holiday traditions, trying to stem further spread of the virus.