Area Memorial Day events and services

Jefferson County

Fairfield: Fairfield will host a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29 in Central Park. In case of rain, the event will move to the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The special guest speaker will be Iowa Rep. Jeff Shipley, and music will be provided by the Tarnished Brass Band. The service will conclude at Evergreen Cemetery, where a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, VFW Post 2271 will host a free lunch for veterans.

Glasgow: The annual Glasgow Cemetery Memorial Day Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 29 at the Glasgow Cemetery. The public is invited and reminded to bring lawn chairs.

Lockridge: The Lockridge Veterans Association will host a Memorial Day Service on Saturday, May 27 at the Lockridge Community Center. At 8 a.m., the flag will be raised at the cemetery. At 8:05 a.m., guests will meet at the community center for fellowship, coffee, tea, juice and pastries. The Memorial Day program will begin at 8:45 a.m., which will include an update on the local Veterans Memorial. Those who are POWs/MIAs will be recognized, followed by a moment of silence. The association will post the flags. Guests are invited to assemble around the Lockridge Veterans Memorial while the Honor Guard will fire a volley with their rifles. The event will end with the playing of Taps and a final prayer.

Henry County

Mt. Pleasant: Avenue of Flags will raise flags in honor of Memorial Day Saturday, May 27 at 8 a.m. and retired the flags May 30 at 4 p.m. at the Henry County Court House. The public is welcome to volunteer to assist in raising and retiring the flags for the occasion.

Just outside the courthouse, 22 names were added to the Veteran’s Memorial since Veteran’s Day, last year. These names will be read and the families will be honored during Mt. Pleasant’s annual Memorial Day Observance service.

The Mt. Pleasant Memorial Day Observance service will take place Monday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School. This event will begin with the VFW and American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries presenting the colors followed by words from Faith Lutheran Church Pastor and United States Air Force Veteran Michael Scudder. Mt. Pleasant Community School District bands also will perform patriotic music at the ceremony. This year, the featured speaker will be Joe Mitchell.

The Honor Guard will conclude the service with a three volley salute followed by taps performed by the high school band.

Henry County Optimist Club will set up flags along the streets of Mt. Pleasant beginning at 5:45 a.m. Saturday, May 28 and invite those wishing to help to meet at the U.S. Bank south parking lot at 5:45 a.m.

Wayland: The Wayland Economic Development group will hold a pre-memorial day breakfast Thursday, May 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wayland Community Center. A free will donation will give attendees a meal consisting of pancakes, whole hog sausage, scrambled eggs, and a drink. Donations from the dinner will benefit the Industrial Park Marketing.

Winfield: The Winfield American Legion Post #643 will hold a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. in the Winfield First Presbyterian Church with guest speaker Master Sergeant Mark Peck. Stephanie White also will read the Honored Fallen at the service. Following service, guests may attend a salute for fallen veterans at the Winfield Scott Township Cemetry.

New London: Donald M Wasson VFW Post 7641 in New London will present a Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 29 at 2 p.m. at the New London Veterans Memorial. Lawn chairs are encouraged. In case of inclement weather the service will be held at VFW Post 7641, 802 East McKinley. VFW 7641 Auxiliary will serve refreshments at the post following the observance.

Swedesburg: The Swedish Heritage Museum will host a Memorial Day Service Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.

Washington County

Ainsworth: the James Harlan Thomas American Legion Post #351 in Ainsworth will present a Memorial Day program at the Ainsworth City Center, beginning at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium. It will conclude with honors rendered at the Oregon Township Cemetery.

Post members will place flags in the cemetery at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27. Area veterans and their families are invited to assist.

Crawfordsville: services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Crawfordsville Cemetery, with Larry Black speaking. Attendees are reminded to bring lawn chairs. Volunteers are asked to help with flags at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 27 and 4:30 p.m. on May 29.

Riverside: on Friday, May 26, flags and crosses will be places at Mt. Olivet Cemetery and the Riverside Public Cemetery starting at 6 p.m. On Sunday, May 28, the Avenue of Flags will be raised at the same location at 7 a.m. Veterans and community members are invited to assist.

Monday, May 29 services will be held at 10 a.m. at the Riverside Public Cemetery. The program includes placing of the bouquets acknowledging all wars, an address from Deacon Derick Cranston, presentation of arms, and taps. Memorial Day Services will continue with the VFW Post #6414 Honor Guard and VFW Auxiliary Color Bearers traveling on to St. Vincent’s Cemetery at approximately 10:30 a.m. and St. Stanislaus Cemetery at approximately 11 a.m. with the Presentation of Arms. The last stop will be at the English River Bridge south of Riverside at approximately 11:30 a.m. to honor those Lost at Sea. In case of rain, the Memorial Day services will be held at the VFW Post #6414, 1259 Riverside Road, Riverside. Iowa.

The VFW Honor Guard and VFW Auxiliary Color Bearers will retire to the VFW Post #6414 where a luncheon will be served by the VFW Auxiliary to honor all veterans at noon. All veterans and their guests are invited to attend.

Kalona: Richmond AMVETS Post 107 will conduct Memorial Day ceremonies at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona at 10:15 a.m. and Richmond Catholic Cemetery at 11 a.m. on May 29. Members of the Mid-Prairie High School Band are scheduled to play at both events.

Washington: Area groups will raise the flag at the Washington Post office at 8 a.m., weather permitting. At 8:45 a.m., a Navy-Marines tribute will be held at the West Fork Crooked Creek bridge, also weather permitting, with speaker SGM Bruce Timmins Ret. The program at Central Park begins at 10 a.m., with speaker LTC Darwin D. "Pete" Peterson, Ret. In the event of weather trouble, that event will instead be held at the Washington High School gymnasium, at the same time.

Keokuk County

Richland: Richland will host a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29 on the Richland square. Rusty Crabtree will be the featured speaker, and music will be provided by the Pekin High School band.