Area communities schedule Memorial Day programs

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As the month of May comes to a close, all across the country, ceremonies will be held to honor and remember those who have served in the military throughout this country's history.

Area communities have announced the time and dates for these observances.

The Memorial Day program for 2023 at St. Anne’s Cemetery at Dixon will be held, weather permitting, on Sunday, May 28 at 2:30 p.m. at the cemetery one-half mile east of the Dixon Post Office. 

Those attending should plan on arriving by 2:15 p.m. so that the program may start on time and should bring lawn chairs.

The Laurel Veteran’s group will assist with the ceremony.  

In case of significant rain or high winds at the time of the ceremony, the event will be moved to St. Anne’s parish hall.

In case of severe weather warnings, the event will be canceled.

In Wayne, flags will be put up on veteran's graves on Thursday, May 25, beginning at 6 p.m. These flags will be taken down on Monday, May 29 at 6 p.m. and volunteers are encouraged to assist with this project.

The Memorial Day Program at Greenwood Cemetery will be held at Veterans' Park on Monday, May 29.

The program begins at 10 a.m. and will include music by the Wayne High School Band.

Retired Judge Robert Ensz will deliver the Memorial Day address.

The Carroll Memorial Day observance will begin with a visit to Bethany Cemetery west of Carroll at 9:30 a.m. 

Following that, the program will be held at the Carroll Auditorium at 10 a.m.

This year's speaker will be Yancy Keiser, the new Veterans' Service Officer for Wayne County.

Attendees will also take part in a ceremony at Elmwood Cemetery to conclude the day's events.

Members of Roy Reed Post 252 The American Legion Family of Winside will be in Wayne with the annual Memorial Poppy Distribution Day on Saturday, May 27.  Representatives will at Bomgaars. Pac 'N' Save, Quality Foods and ACE Hardware & Home, plus downtown Wayne area businesses from 9 a.m. to noon.  This year the group is adding Dreamer’s Ranch from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Poppy displays will be set up at Kinship Pointe and Elkhorn Valley Bank in Wayne and Head to Toes Pet Grooming, Wayne County Bank and Winside Store in Winside from May 22 through Saturday, May 27.  

Proceeds from the sale of the poppies will be applied toward Veterans and the Memorial Poppy program of The American Legion Family. 

On Sunday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m. members will gather to set up tables and chairs at the Legion Post and chairs at the Winside Auditorium.   

On Monday, May 29 members of The American Legion Family, Roy Reed Post 252, Winside will be observing Memorial Day in the traditional manner.  

Legionnaires, Auxiliary Senior and Junior Auxiliary members, Sons of The American Legion members and the Winside Boys Scout Troop 179 will visit seven area cemeteries beginning at 7:15 a.m., returning to the Winside Auditorium for the program at 10:30 AM.    

Guest speakers are Pete and Shelli Keiser, Winside. Kerry Otte from Wayne will have a reading, ‘I AM A VETERAN.’  Following the program, members and the public will go to Pleasant View Cemetery in Winside for dedication of the Memorial Poppy Wreath and the 21-gun volley in honor of veterans who are laid to rest at Pleasant View.

The American Legion Auxiliary members will host their annual Memorial Day Dinner at the Legion Post following the program.  Lunch is freewill donation and all are welcomed to come attend from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In Laurel, the Memorial Day Program will be held Monday, May 29 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Laurel Community Events Center.

The invocation and prayer  will be given by Pastor Jeff Warner.

Jim Clark will serve as this year's speaker.

Following the program, attendees will travel to the Laurel Cemetery for the placing of flowers for the Unknown Soldier by the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. Shane Kincade will read the roll call to Fallen Comrades.

A Memorial Day dinner will be served at the Vet's Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Allen's Memorial Day Program will be held at 10:15 a.m. Monday, May 26 at Eastview Cemetery. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Allen School gym.

In Wakefield, the Memorial Day Program will be held at the Wakefield Cemetery on Monday, May 29.

The program begins at 2 p.m. with Lowell Johnson, former Wakefield City Administrator, as the speaker.

Flags will be put up on Friday, May 26, starting at 6 p.m. and taken down following the service on Monday.