Memorial Day plans finalized
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Several county communities have announced plans to observe Memorial Day this year.
Mount Ayr
American Legion Post 172 will honor our fallen this Memorial Day. Although their will be no ceremony at the Legion, we plan to put up flags and honor those that have given their all. This is dependent on the weather.
The following are plans for Memorial Week:
Tuesday, May 25
At 6 p.m. members of Cub Scout Pack 39 will place small flags on the graves of veterans at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Thursday May 27
At 9:00 a.m. the holes for the flags will be marked at the Rose Hill Cemetery.
Friday May 28
Beginning at 5 p.m., flag poles will be placed in marked holes.
The public is welcomed to come out and help erect the Avenue of Flags. Over 300 flags are on display for the weekend once a year.
A donation box is at the main cemetery entrance. Donations are so very important to continue. Last year after the flags and poles were taken down 51 had to be mended, and eight had to be replaced.
Saturday May 29
At 8:00 a.m. the flags will be put onto the poles, and markers set. After the flags have been placed, there will be biscuits and gravy served by the Auxiliary for those who helped.
Memorial Day, Monday May 31 A ceremony will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton Cemetery. The color guard will move to the “Grave of the Unknown” at the Rose Hill Cemetery.
At 3:00 p.m. the poles and flags will be taken down and stored. Remember this is all depending on the weather. We would like to protect 312+ flags and poles.
The Legion would like to thank John Peters who is in charge of this program. If you would like to purchase a flag and pole for a veteran who has passed, you can contact John.
Again, the Legion welcomes anyone to come out and help and a thank you to the future leaders Mount Ayr Scouts, and Auxillary and Sons of American Legion.
Diagonal
Diagonal American Legion Post 395 will conduct its traditional Memorial Day services at various area cemeteries Monday, May 31.
The Legion color guard will meet at the Community Building at 7:30 a.m. prior to traveling to Union Cemetery for an 8:30 a.m. service.
From there, the Legion will move to Bethel Cemetery at 9 a.m., to Marshalltown Cememtery at 9:30 a.m., Bohemian Cemetery at 10 a.m. and Diagonal Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.
The morning will conclude at Knowlton Cemetery at 11 a.m. for the community observance with speaker Rev. Gwen Trullinger.
The community is invited to a Memorial Day luncheon at the Community Building following the Memorial Day activities. The meal is hosted by the United Church of Diagonal.
Clearfield
Clearfield American Legion Post 97 will assemble the Avenue of Flags and decorate graves in the Clearfield Cemetery beginning at 8 a.m Saturday, May 29. The public’s assistance with this work is greatly appreciated.
In case of rain, the work will commence once the rain stops.
On Monday, May 31, the Memorial Day program will get underway at Lion’s Hall at 10 a.m. with Legion chaplain Al Rusk officiating.
Weather permitting, program attendees will proceed to Clearfield Cemetery for a ceremony over the grave of the last decreased veteran’s grave.
At 2 p.m. work will begin to take down the Avenue of Flags. Again, the public’s assistance is needed and appreciated
Ellston
The Ellston American Legion Post 541 will again host its Memorial Day celebration. including the displaying an Avenue of Flags in the Ellston Cemetery.
The Avenue of Flags in the Ellston Cemetery will be erected beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 28. All help would be greatly appreciated as the Legion puts up 65 large flags in the Avenue of Flags along with 75 small flags at the Ellston Cemetery and another 29 small flags at the Oliver Cemetery.
Post members organize the Memorial Day service to honor veterans beginning at the Pumptown Cemetery at 9 a.m., Oliver Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. and Ellston Cemetery at 10 a.m., weather permitting.
Grand River
There will be a Pancake Breakfast at the Grand River Community Center on Monday, May 31 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The menu will include pancakes, French toast, sausage, fruit, juice, milk and coffee.
A free will donation will be accepted.
There is no alumni meeting this year, but all alumni are welcome to attend and can stay and visit.
At 11:00 a.m. there will be a Memorial Day service at the Grand River Cemetery. However, there will be no lunch afterwards, so come and fill up with breakfast.
Blockton
There will be Memorial Day services on Sunday morning, May 30 at the local cemetery. No further details were available.
