Communities to observe Memorial Day
Many county small towns are canceling their Memorial Day observances this year, but Congressman Roger Marshall will be keynote speaker at Hillsboro American Legion’s ceremony at10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park.
Josh Plenert, commander of American Legion Post No. 366, has been in talks with aides of the congressman for months.
“Just the morning he emailed that he, himself, was going to come,” said Plenert said Tuesday.
Plenert said members of Hillsboro’s post were determined to have observances this year, even if the public could not be invited.
“I’d like to hope Memorial Day is a big deal everywhere,” he said.
He spoke to county emergency director Randy Frank about the safest way to have a dignified ceremony, while following state mandates on social distancing.
Full military honors will be performed during the event, which will be broadcast within 250 yards of the park on 1680 AM. Participants will be asked to remain in their cars.
Thelma Wilson, Hillsboro High School senior and American Legion scholarship recipient, will provide patriotic songs.
There will be no meal this year at Legion headquarters.
Elsewhere in the county, cities are planning scaled-back versions of their usual celebrations:
Cedar Point, Florence
The John McCay American Legion Post No. 287 firing squad will honor the dead at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Mount Cavalry Cemetery, 10 a.m. at Cedar Point, and 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery. There will be no speakers.
Burdick
Memorial Day services are canceled but American Legion Post No. 147 still will place flags and crosses on the graves of veterans at Burdick United Methodist Church and Hebron Lutheran Cemeteries. The names of veterans will be read at services at the churches.
All other cities have canceled regular observances, but volunteers still plan to place flags and other remembrances on the graves of veterans.
Services in Lincolnville, Ramona and Lost Springs were canceled. Details on observances were unavailable at press time.
Marion
Small flags will be placed on graves of veterans from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday and large flags will be placed 10 a.m. Saturday at Marion Cemetery. All flags will be removed at 4 p.m. Monday.
Peabody
Volunteers will place flags around a triangle at the entrance of Prairie Lawn Cemetery.
Pilsen
Flags will be placed on the graves of veterans.