A number of services have been planned this Memorial Day weekend throughout the area to remember and honor those who have served their country in the military, as well as all those who have gone before us and formed this country into what it is today.
In Wayne, the Memorial Day Program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30 at Veterans Memorial Park in Greenwood Cemetery.
Music for the program will be provided by the Wayne Community Band, under the direction of Alex Wieland.
This year's featured speaker will be Dwaine Schroeder.
Involved in the program will be members of the Wayne Consolidated Veterans group and local auxiliaries.
Following the program, a luncheon will be served at the Wayne Vets Club on Main Street in Wayne. Serving will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
In case of inclement weather, the program will be conducted at Wayne High School.
Flags at the cemetery will be put up Thursday, May 26 beginning at 6 p.m. and taken down on Monday, May 30 at 6 p.m.
The 2016 Memorial Day Program at the St. Anne's Cemetery of Dixon, will be held on Sunday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m. with a program, color guard, and taps.
The Veterans from Laurel will assist.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and arrive by 2:15 p.m.
In the event of significant rain falling at the time of the service, it will be held at St. Anne's Parish Hall in Dixon.
The Concord-Dixon Cemetery Association will be hosting a Memorial Program on Sunday, May 29, at 2:30 p.m., at Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord. Area veterans are invited to attend as honored guests and are asked to enter together at the beginning of the program. Laurel Vets Post Color Guard and Taps will follow at the cemetery at approximately 3:15 pm.
The Allen Memorial Day Program will be held on Memorial Day, May 30 at the East View Cemetery at 10:15 a.m. (in case of inclement weather, ceremonies will be in commons at the Allen School). The Star Spangled Banner will be sung by Allen High School Choir members Kiara Monteith and Austin Roth.
The Memorial Day message will be delivered by Allen United Methodist Church Pastor Lorri Kentner.
Services will be sponsored by the Floyd Gleason Post 131 of the American Legion and Auxiliary of Allen. Several members of these organizations will deliver the prayer, conduct roll call and present a floral tribute.
In Carroll, members of the veterans' organizations will conduct a ceremony at Bethany Cemetery west of Carroll at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30 and then move to the Carroll Auditorium for this year's Memorial Day program.
This year's guest speaker will be Ashley Holtz.
Following the program at the auditorium, services will conclude at Elmwood Cemetery at Carroll.
The American Legion and Legion Auxiliary are organizing this year's service.
The United Methodist Church will be again be sponsoring a Memorial Day roast beef dinner at the church following the program until 1 p.m.
The Memorial Day observance at Laurel will take place Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. at the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge school's new auditorium.
Bob Dickey will be this year's speaker during the program.
Fr. Dave Liewer will give the invocation and benediction at the program and will provide a prayer at the service at the Laurel Cemetery following the program.
Patriotic musical selections will be provided by the Marian Mallatt Singers.
Following the program at the school, a service will be held at the Laurel Cemetery at 11 a.m.
In Winside, weather permitting, Legion/Auxiliary/ Sons members and Boy Scouts will decorate graves at Pleasantview Cemetery at Winside on Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. The avenue of flags will also be erected at the cemetery this same evening.
The Winside Memorial Day program begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at the Winside Auditorium.
The Winside School Band, under the direction of Kathy Hansen will provide music, as will the Winside School choir, under the direction of LeNell Quinn.
This year's guest speaker will be Hoss Hammond, Jr of Norfolk.
Following the program at the Auditorium,the group will process to Pleasantview Cemetery for the decoration of graves, a prayer, 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
Prior to the service, Winside Legion members will be visiting area cemeteries, including Theopolis Cemetery, Immanuel Cemetery, Swedish Cemetery, Zion Cemetery, Trinity Lutheran, Hoskins Community Cemetery and Spring Branch (Peace Church) Cemetery.
The Roy Reed Unit 252 American Legion Auxiliary will host a Memorial Day dinner at the Legion Post in Winside following the program at Pleasantview Cemetery.
Wakefield's Memorial Day program is slated to begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 30 at the Wakefield Cemetery.
The Rev. Charity Potter will be this year's featured speaker.
Those attending the program are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
The American Legion Auxiliary will serve lunch at the Legion Hall following the service.
Earlier that day the Wakefield Presbyterian Church will serve breakfast at the church. Serving begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 12 p.m. Those attending are asked to use the new entrance on the north side of the church.
