The public is invited to attend Memorial Day programs across the area on Monday, in remembrance of American Armed Forces members who lost their lives while serving their country.
Area programs include:
Tracy
Terry Wing, Lyon County Veterans Service officer, will be the keynote speaker at a 9 a.m. program at The Caboose.
Sponsored by the Tracy American Legion Post 173, the program will also recognize Gerald Engesser for 50 years of membership in the Legion. George Quigley, Dale Fischer, Larry Hyatt, and Lee Lasnetske will be remembered as Legion members who died over the past year.
The program will begin with a presentation of the colors by the Legion color guard commanded by Dave Kosse. Mayor Steve Ferrazzano will give a welcome, with Pastor Eric Natwick delivering the invocation and benediction. A Tracy Area High School brass choir will present the National Anthem and other musical selections.
Legion Commander Harley Wahl will act as emcee and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The program will end with an outdoor wreath-laying ceremony in honor of fallen servicemen.
Prior to the program, the color guard and firing squad will conduct veterans’ salutes at several area cemeteries, including Tracy Community, Hoiland, and Modum cemeteries.
Bethel Cemetery
The Garvin American Legion is sponsoring a Memorial Day program at Bethel Cemetery southeast of Garvin Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. The program will include readings, patriotic songs, the decoration of veterans’ graves, and the playing of “Taps.” Pastor Edsel Miller will be the speaker.
In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church. Lunch will be served following the ceremony at the Legion Auxiliary Hall in Garvin.
Currie
A Currie American Legion color guard will march from the Currie Legion Hall to the Des Moines River bridge, for a memorial wreath-dropping ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
The Legion will then march to the Currie Fire Hall for an 11 a.m. program. A lunch, sponsored by the Legion auxiliary, will follow at noon.
Prior to the programs, the Currie Legion color guard will hold brief ceremonies honoring fallen veterans at several sites: Willow Lake Cemetery, 9 a.m.; End-O-Line Railroad Park, 9:30 a.m.; Pioneer Cemetery, 9:45 a.m.; IHM Cemetery, 10 a.m.
Balaton
The Memorial Day commemoration begins with a free 8 a.m. breakfast for veterans, at Benson’s By the Lake. The Balaton American Legion is sponsoring the breakfast.
A 10 a.m. ceremony at the Ralco Technology Center will feature Retired Air Force Senior master Sgt. Duane Loeck as the guest speaker. A program at Lakeside Cemetery, with a gun salute and a roll call of the dead, follows the indoor program.
Dovray
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is the setting for a 9 a.m. program sponsored by the Dovray American Legion and Auxiliary.
The program will include a reading of names of deceased service members. A rifle volley and salute to fallen servicemen will to follow the indoor program.
Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall after the outside program.