Flags to be placed in Marengo Cemetery May 22

MARENGO — Each spring, before Memorial Day, the American Legion Post #76 and the American Legion Auxiliary in Marengo decorate the Marengo Cemetery with flags and crosses to remember all veterans laid to rest in the cemetery.

The public is welcome to assist in the placing of the flags and crosses May 22 and 23. The time to be determined based on weather conditions.

Anyone interested in helping should phone Diane Vorhies at 573-789-0019 or Marilyn Rodgers at 319-540-7473 for definite information on either of those days.

This is a wonderful learning experience for young folks so families are certainly encouraged to participate, said Rodgers.

Jennifer Olson, director of Iowa County Veteran Affairs said some veterans graves are missed because their graves are not marked veterans’ grave.

Anyone who knows of a veteran’s grave that does not have a grave marker identifying it as such should contact the Iowa County Veteran Affairs Office at 319-642-3923, choose option 8 and then option 1.

Veterans Affairs has some grave markers available for Iowa County Veteran graves that may be picked up and placed on the graves, Olson said. Supplies are limited.

The volunteers will do everything in their power to make sure that the graves have flags placed on them, said Olson. Veterans’ families should make sure that markers identify graves as veteran graves.

On Monday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m., a short recognition service will be held at the Marengo Cemetery on Highway 6. The American Legion Post and American Legion Auxiliary will recognize all veterans and honor those who have passed away since last Memorial Day last year.

This spring, the honored Legion and Auxiliary members will be Jerry Baum, Alfred Karsten, Else Krakow, Wayne Kuhnle, Merlyn Martinson, Marilyn Merritt, Larry Moore, George Myers, Richard Olson, Lawrence Quinlan, Lee Slaymaker, James F. Slockett, Marylou Tripolino and Larry Wandling.

Following the brief service at the Marengo Cemetery, the public is invited to follow the Legion and Auxiliary members to Gateway Park where a brief Naval Ceremony will take place with the placing of a wreath into the waters of the Iowa River.

From this point the group will move to the south lawn of Rose Haven Nursing Home where residents of the nursing home and of the Lodge will be assembled in the screened porch for the short program. The public is invited to all of these events.

Families are encouraged to take advantage of this program to teach their children about the price paid for America’s freedom, Rodgers said.