(Services handled by Grams/Schmidt Post 475, St. Clair, are included in this revised version of Memorial Day ceremonies and events):
This year, the United States marks three milestones in its military history: The American Civil War ended April 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant; Japan signed formal surrender documents Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II; and all U.S. combat forces were withdrawn from South Vietnam in April 1975.
Memorial Day observances are set Monday in honor of all who lost their lives while in military service to the country.
Area observances include:
Mankato Area Veterans Memorial Board’s schedule:
8 a.m. — Korean War Memorial, Main Street and Riverfront Drive.
8:30 a.m. — Veterans Memorial Place, Veterans Memorial Court.
11:35 a.m. — WWI Memorial, Sibley Park.
12:10 p.m. — Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Stoltzman Road.
1 p.m. — WWII Memorial, Wheeler Park, North Mankato.
2 p.m. — Boy in Blue Civil War Memorial, Lincoln Park.
Ceremonies will be presented by service organizations at these cemeteries:
• Mankato American Legion Post 11, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Voiture 281 of the 40&8 and Boy Scout Troop 4:
9 a.m. — Pioneer, Mankato; 9:30 a.m. — Calvary, Mankato; 11 a.m. — Woodland Hills.
• Mankato Morson Ario Strand VFW Post 950 and Auxiliary, {span}Lyle C. Pearson Sr. DAV Chapter 10, Forrest G. James Detachment 589 Marine Corps League, National Guard representatives and auxiliaries:{/span}:
9 a.m. — Mount Olive, Mankato; 9:30 a.m. Glenwood; 10:15 a.m. Decoria, Highway 22; 10:45 a.m. Minneopa.
• American Legion Post 518 and Auxiliary:
10 a.m. — Kerns, Belgrade Township; 11 a.m. — Pilgrims Rest; 2 p.m. — Swedish.
(Post and auxiliary members will participate in a 9 a.m. ceremony at Rapidan Memorial Park.)
The following Memorial Day services and events are among those slated at area communities and local cemeteries.
St. Clair/Pemberton
• Grams-Schmidt American Legion Post 475 members plan cemetery ceremonies 9 a.m. at Mcpherson (Boot Hill), 9:20 a.m. at St. John’s (Bestman’s), 9:30 a.m. St. Clair Catholic, 9:50 a.m. at Medo-McPherson (Preston), 10:10 a.m. at Medo Central (Weaver); a 10:30 a.m. service at Dumdei Memorial Park in Pemberton; and cemetery services 11 a.m. at Marzinske Corner (Bunker Hill), 11:20 a.m. at St. Clair Lutheran and 12:30 p.m. at Woodland Hills in Mankato.
St. Peter
• U.S. Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Drew Link is the keynote speaker for a 10:30 a.m. program at Minnesota Square Park’s pavilion. High school students will provide music for the program. William R. Witty American Legion’s Color Guard and the Govenaires will march near the town’s veterans memorial.
After the program at the park, a service near the Minnesota River is planned for those buried/lost at sea.
A Memorial Day meal will be served 11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 37; free-will donations will be accepted.
Rapidan
• 9 a.m. service in Rapidan Memorial Park.
Vernon Center
• 10:30 a.m., Vernon Center Cemetery. A commemoration of the cemetery’s 150th anniversary is planned in conjunction with Memorial Day services. If weather is inclement, services will move to Grace United Methodist Church.
Waseca
• A 9 a.m. outdoors ceremony is planned near Waseca County Courthouse. Waseca High School’s choir and band will perform. If the weather is rainy, the ceremony will be 9:30 a.m. at the high school.
For information about other services in the area, contact a local Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion post.