On Monday, Marion County residents and others across the country will pause to observe Memorial Day, remembering those who sacrificed and died for the cause of freedom.
Ceremonies are planned in Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody, Florence, Ramona, Goessel and at a few other sites.
In Hillsboro, services begin at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Park with the Color Guard advancing colors as the Sons of the American Legion raise the American flag.
Dick Carr, American Legion Post 366 officer, will ask that those present pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service of their country.
In addition, nine men will receive special tribute. These men gave their lives in service. They are Roy Flaming, Ervin Harder, Herbert Jantzen, William Klassen, Alfred Schroeder, Karl Schroeder, Ronald Schultz, Winston Toews and Leo Warkentin.
Since the last service, Lyle Lucas, Dennis Youk and Charles Schmidtburger died, and roll call of the dead will be read by Wayne Friesen and Ron Suder?man.
?Let them not be forgotten,? Carr said.
This year?s speaker is (Ret.) Master Sgt. Roger Sinclair.
Marion has planned its ceremony for 10 a.m. at Marion Cemetery. The service is being sponsored by members of the American Legion and VFW, and their auxiliaries.
A Memorial Day prayer, gun salute and ?Taps? will also be part of the observance.
The Marion Kiwanis Club is inviting the public to stop by the Marion Elementary School commons area for doughnuts, coffee and fellowship.
In Ramona, a Memorial Day Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Lewis Cemetery, followed by a picnic in the park at noon.
?Folks are invited to bring a covered dish,? said Jessica Gilbert, one of the coordinators, ?and the Memorial Day committee supplies the fried chicken and drinks.?
West of Florence at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Memorial Day services will start at 8:30 a.m.
Cedar Point Cemetery, south of Cedar Point, will host a service at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. Hillcrest Cemetery, north of Florence, also will remember fallen veterans.
Also in Florence will be the dedication of the Veterans? Memorial Stone at 3:30 p.m. at the Veterans? Park downtown.
?The grand master of Masons in Kansas will formally dedicate the stone, an idea conceived by past Master/Veteran Greg Graham,? said Les Allison, one of the coordinators.
The Brothers of Advance Lodge 114 of Kansas commissioned the Memorial Stone in 2009 to become a permanent part of the Veterans? Park, once the monument is dedicated, Allison said.
The stone has been a current portion of the Veterans? Park since it was donated to the Florence Pride Committee and was temporarily set in late 2009 by Graham and U.S. Air Force serviceman Matt Williams, also a Masonic member.
The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call Allison at 620-382-7310.
Goessel Church Cemetery will have a service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 30. At 11 a.m., Monday, Alexanderwohl Church Cemetery has scheduled an observance.
In addition, Tabor Church Cemetery will remember those who sacrificed their lives at 10 a.m. Monday.
Operation Celebration 2010 in Peabody is scheduled from Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. with Civil War reenactors and the 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry marching through the Avenue of Flags to place wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.
For more information about Operation Celebration, call Peabody City Hall at 620-983-2174.
