Le Mars
(Le Mars) — Monday is Memorial Day, and organizers with the Wasmer Post #241 American Legion of Le Mars are getting set the for 53rd anniversary of the “Avenue of Flags” ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:00 Monday on the north lawn of the the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars. But prior to Monday’s
Memorial Day program, Post Commander Wayne Schipper says volunteers are needed Saturday morning to help locate anchors and to set up the half staffs.
Schipper says if possible, volunteers should bring along some tools to help locate the anchors.
Then on Memorial Day Monday, the annual parade will officially kick off the program, and due to the construction on Central Avenue, Schipper says this year’s parade has been slightly altered.
The Memorial program is set to start at 10:00 a.m. and Schipper recites the schedule of events for the Plymouth County Courthouse.
Jim Rolfes will recite his famous poem, “Come Visit My Grave.” Pat Murphy will read the roll of names. This year, Schipper says at least 27 new flags and names will be dedicated. The program will conclude with the rifle salute and the playing of taps.
Merrill
**Oleson Halweg Post 125 American Legion invites you to their Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. This year’s ceremony will be held indoors at the Kissinger Center, where over 40 World War I Veterans flags will be retired to permanent display cases in the Samuel Merrill Ballroom. Events begin at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, with Call to Order, invocation, recognition of Veterans, the National Anthem, recognition of Veterans lost in the past year. Also, guest speaker and parade of remaining 200 Veterans flags. Lunch will follow the ceremony in the gym.
Brunsville
The Brunsville Memorial Day Program will be held at the American Legion Hall in Brunsville, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The speaker for this year’s program will be Lt. Col. Larry Brockshus with the U-S Air Force. Tom Toel will provide the music, and Taps will be performed by Tessa Hansen. 175 flags will be posted outside the hall, with three new flags to be dedicated. Flag Bearers are needed and welcomed. For additional information contact: Miles McDougall at 540-2059.
Remsen/Oyens
The annual Memorial Day Program at Remsen and Oyens, sponsored by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be held on Monday, May 28th at the Remsen and Oyens cemeteries. There will be a 9:00 a.m. mass at St. Mary’s cemetery, followed by the traditional services at the memorial site at the cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the Remsen program will be held at the city auditorium at 10:00 a.m. and the Oyens program at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine’s school cafeteria. Music during the program will be presented by the St. Mary’s band under the direction of Steph Niewohner. The speaker will be Father William McCarthy representing St. Mary’s Church. Master of ceremonies for the program will be Bob Gengler. Following the speaker will be the Avenue of Flags roll call, then the wreath presentation and salute to the colors by the American Legion and V.F.W. color guard. The program will close with the National Anthem and a prayer. The flags of 363 Veterans will be flown on the Avenue of Flags on Washington Street Boulevard, Happy Siesta Health Care Center, Bavarian Meadows, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christ Lutheran Church, MMCRU School, and at the cemetery. Volunteers are needed Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and Monday, at 6:00 a.m. to put up flags, and then at 4:00 p.m. on Monday to take down the flags. Oyens will have its own Avenue of Flags with veteran’s flags located along the driveway a the cemetery in Oyens.
(information provided by the Remsen Bell).
