The upcoming weekend will offer all those across the United States an opportunity to remember and thank those who served in the armed forces throughout this country's history.
In the area, a number of Memorial Day programs will be held on Sunday and Monday, May 25 and 26.
The Memorial Day program for 2024 at St. Anne’s Cemetery at Dixon will be held, weather permitting, on Sunday, May 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the cemetery, located 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.
Members of the Laurel American Legion Post 54 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4504 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.
The Concord-Dixon Cemetery Association will hold its annual Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 25, at 3:15 p.m, at the Concord Cemetery, Concord, at the top of the hill.
The Laurel Vets Post will provide the color guard.
In Carroll, the Memorial Day program will begin with a trip to Bethany Cemetery on Monday, May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
From there, the group will move to the Carroll City Auditorium for a program at 10 a.m.
This year's speaker will be Ken Hanel, a part of the Nebraska Medal of Honor Memorial Highway group who have walked the length of Highway 20 to honor those who have served.
The program will conclude with activities at Elmwood Cemetery.
In Wayne, the Memorial Day program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26 at Veterans Park in Greenwood Cemetery. Members of the various service organizations will take part in the program.
This year's speaker will be Yancey Kaiser, Wayne County Veterans' Service Officer.
Music will be provided by members of the Wayne High School band, along with several community members.
Flags on the graves of veterans buried at the cemetery will be put up beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 and volunteers are needed to assist with this.
The Laurel Memorial Day program will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26 at the Laurel Community Events Center. The invocation and prayer will be given by Pastor Tom Tuura. Speaker for this year's program will be Ron Lundahl.
Following the service in Laurel, attendees will travel to the Laurel Cemetery for the reading of the roll of deceased members and a salute to fallen comrades.
A Memorial Day Dinner will be held at the Vet's Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In Winside, Memorial Day activities begin with the setting out of flagpoles, grave flags and poppy wreaths on Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, May 24 members of the Winside Legion family will be at several locations in Wayne handing out poppies.
On Monday, May 26 members of The American Legion Family, Roy Reed Post 252 in Winside will be observing Memorial Day in the traditional manner.
Legionnaires, Auxiliary Senior and Junior Auxiliary members, Sons of The American Legion members will visit seven area cemeteries beginning at 7 a.m., returning to the Winside Auditorium for the program at 10:30 AM.
Guest speaker for this year's program is Rick Marx of Pilger. He is involved with Civil War re-enactment.
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 donations and all are welcome to attend and spend time reminiscing. The dinner will begin at approximately 11 a.m. and run to 1:30 PM.
In Wakefield, the Memorial Day program will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 26 at the Wakefield Cemetery. Attendees should bring lawn chairs.
In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Wakefield American Legion Hall.
The speaker for this year's program will be Eric Martin. He is the Programs Director with the Nebraska State American Legion and manages a variety of programs including Junior Law Cadet and Boys State.
Following the program, lunch will be served at the Legion Hall.
