Getting ready for Memorial Day programs | News, Sports, Jobs

Volunteer Bonita Zimmer joined a team of volunteers and workers on May 17 to prepare and place well over 1,000 potted plants at the graves of those laid to rest at Blue Earth’s Riverside Cemetery.

Communities around the county are holding various types of ceremonies to commemorate Memorial Day.

Following is information on some of the events taking place in the area.

Blue Earth

The Blue Earth American Legion will hold their annual Memorial Day program at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, at Memorial Square in Riverside Cemetery.

The Blue Earth Area High School band will open with a prelude, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Jay Wallace and “God Bless America,” arranged by Frank D. Colfield.

Tony O’Donnell, the American Legion Commander for Post No. 89, will be the master of ceremonies.

The BEA band will perform the “Star Spangled Banner” followed by the raising of the flag.

Reverend Aaron Evenson will give the invocation.

There will be a reading of the Gettysburg Address and a reading of General Logan’s Orders.

Next, the BEA band will perform the “Service Medley” before the Memorial Day Address is delivered.

The program will continue with a rifle salute and then the playing of “Taps” by BEA students Shane Levenhagen and Austin Skaden.

Evenson will close the program with the benediction.

Delavan and Easton

The Delavan and Easton American Legions are having a vehicle parade and cemetery salute on Memorial Day.

The vehicle parade will visit nine local cemeteries beginning at 9 a.m. with Schermerhorn Cemetery. The next stop will be St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery followed by Lura, East Lutheran, West Lutheran, Bass Lake, Rice Lake, Calvary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel cemeteries.

Participants are asked to turn on their headlights and join the parade at any point along the route.

Wells

The day will begin on May 29 with the serving of coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m. at the Wells American Legion Club located at 145 West Franklin Street.

The parade lineup will begin at 9:45 a.m. outside the Wells Bake Shop at 200 South Broadway.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. by the bakery and continue north to Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The guest speaker will be Sergeant First Class Paul Hassing.

After the program lunch is being served at the Wells American Legion Club. The menu includes a pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, baked beans and bars. The cost for the meal is $10.

Winnebago

Winnebago will have a Memorial Day observance beginning at noon on May 29, at Veterans Memorial Park.

There will be a Laying of the Wreath by the Color Guard. There will also be a raising of the flag. “Taps” will be played and a gun salute will take place.A meal will not be served this year.