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Nora Shaffer, 9, of Rockford, places wreaths on markers during last year's Rockford's Memorial Day celebrations at Hedges Park.
From staff reports
newsroom@dailystandard.com
Local communities will observe the Memorial Day weekend. Events began on Friday in Fort Recovery.
The Fort Recovery American Legion Post 345 and VFW Post 6515 will conduct its Memorial Day service at 7 p.m. Friday. The service will start at the Wabash Bridge on North Wayne Street. After the ceremony, the veteran groups, Scouts, 4-H clubs, firemen, band and anyone else wanting to march will then parade to the Veterans Park for the remainder of the program.
A guest speaker from the VFW will give a short speech at Veterans Plaza in Monument Park. Wreaths will be laid in remembrance of unknown soldiers. The Fort Recovery High School band will play "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Memorial Day observances in Celina will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with services at North Shore Park's memorial site within the Bryson Park District. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs and to assemble at 10:45 a.m.
A breakfast will be served at the Celina American Legion at 7 a.m. for military honor guards. Lunch will also be served at the Celina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5713 after the memorial service for military honor guards and their families.
Memorial Day also will be observed at the Mercer Memory Garden at 10 a.m. Monday. Area auxiliaries will present wreaths.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church will hold a Memorial Day Mass at 9 a.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5135 will conduct services at Coldwater Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Master of ceremonies is Don Schoenherr and Coldwater Mayor Douglas Bertke will give the Memorial Day address. The Rev. Ethan Hoying of Holy Trinity Catholic Church will offer the invocation and the Rev. David Porath of Good Shepard Church the benediction. Music will be provided by the high school band under the direction of Dan Ruckman. World War II vets Elmer Klenke and Tom Kremer will be recognized. Members of the Coldwater American Legion Post 470, Coldwater VFW, Sons of the American Legion and their Auxiliaries will place wreaths at the memorial. A salute to deceased comrades will be conducted by the VFW Honor Guard. Taps will be played by Libby Gilmore.
American Legion Honor Guard will conduct services at St. Elizabeth Cemetery at 11 a.m., Guadalupe Cemetery at 11:15 a.m., Ellis Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. and Burge Cemetery at 11:50 a.m.
VFW Honor Guard will conduct services at 11 a.m. at Swamp College Cemetery and at 11:20 a.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Memorial Day services will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the park before marching to the river. Flowers will be cast into the river followed by a gun volley for deceased veterans. Taps will be played.
The group will reassemble and march to the park. Wreaths will be laid by the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.
The New Bremen American Legion Post 241 will host Memorial Day services at 11 a.m. Monday at German Protestant Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Rockford American Legion Post 508 will honor fallen veterans at 10 a.m. Monday at Riverside Cemetery. Flags will be placed on the grave markers. A 21-gun salute will follow and taps will be played. The Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the fire station and travel north on Main Street to the service at Hedges Veteran Park. Guest speakers are Rockford Mayor Ron Searight and scholarship recipient Macy Johnson. Dana Smith from the Rockford Belle Community Church will offer prayers. Rockford American Legion Post 508 member Mike Heiser will be the master of ceremonies. All area veterans are encouraged to wear their military uniforms. A military flyover will honor Memorial Day and the Rockford American Legion's 100th anniversary.
The Rockford American Legion and Sons will also host a chicken dinner fundraiser. The cost will be $10. Tickets are presale only and are available at the Rockford American Legion hall and the Rockford Carry Out. The chicken dinners are provided by the Rockford Carryout and will be available for pickup behind the Rockford American Legion Hall immediately following the ceremony.
St. Henry Catholic Church will hold Memorial Day Mass at 9 a.m. Monday. A veterans memorial service will be held at 10:45 a.m. at the St. Henry Freedom Amphitheater and Honor Garden. It will entail a presentation of the colors, the playing of the national anthem, a 21-gun salute and music by the high school band. A free hot dog lunch will be provided to all attendees at 11:15 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and come with lawn chairs.
A Memorial Day parade will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday. The parade will go from Spruce and Spring streets, west to Wayne Street and south to Greenville Road. A ceremony will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery following the parade at 10:30 a.m. to honor deceased veterans.
