Memorial Day is a federal U.S. holiday for remembering veterans who died while serving their country.
Originally called Decoration Day, it is observed in almost every state on the last Monday in May, according to www.usmemorialday.org.
This weekend, there are a number of Memorial Day events throughout Kosciusko County to honor the fallen of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Listed alphabetically, services will be:
Etna Green
The Memorial Day services will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at Etna Green Church of Christ with Pastor Joe Lampkin speaking.
Veterans should meet at the fire station at 9:45 a.m. with concluding services at the Etna Green East Cemetery.
For more information or questions, call R.B. Conley at 574-858-9326.
Leesburg
The Leesburg community will have a Memorial Day parade and service at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Boy Scouts will conduct a flag-raising ceremony at the town hall before the parade. The parade will proceed from the town hall south on Pearl Street, then west on Prairie Street to Leesburg Cemetery.
All are invited to take part. Participants should be in place by 10:15 a.m.
For more information, call Craig Charlton at 574-453-3079, Sue Charlton at 574-453-3011 or Sue Richey at 574-453-3520.
Mentone
The Mentone Chamber of Commerce and the Bell Aircraft Museum are sponsoring a Memorial Day program at the Mentone Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Following the service, there will be a reception at the museum.
In case of rain, the program will be at First Baptist Church on Oak Street.
Nappanee
The city of Nappanee’s Memorial Day ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Monday at city hall, 300 W. Lincoln St., after the annual parade.
Mayor Phil Jenkins will provide opening remarks. Steve Hunsberger will sing the national anthem and Elkhart County Deputy Prosecutor Steve Clark will give a speech about veterans. A patriotic tribute will be provided by NorthWood High School Red Regiment.
The parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. at Nappanee Elementary School, 755 E. Van Buren St., and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. The route will go along Centennial Street to Ind. 19 to Lincoln Street and end at city hall.
North Manchester
American Legion Post 286 will host Memorial Day services at 10 a.m. Monday at Halderman Park on North Market Street.
It will include Post 286 Color Guard, the Manchester Civic Band, guest speakers and special recognition of American Legion members achieving a variety of accomplishments.
The morning begins as the American Legion Riders leave the Post on Main Street at 9 a.m. for a tour around North Manchester, arriving at Halderman Park where the Manchester Civic Band will begin their prelude at 9:35 a.m. American Legion Post 286 Commander will welcome those gathered at 10 a.m. The service will conclude by 11 a.m.
North Webster
The Memorial Day parade in North Webster will begin at about 10:45 a.m. Monday at the stoplight downtown. It will travel to the North Webster Cemetery for a memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. by American Legion Post 253 with a firing squad and taps.
Other memorial ceremonies Monday will be at 9 a.m. at Thorn Cemetery, 9:30 a.m. at Salem Cemetery, 10 a.m. at Mock Cemetery, 10:30 a.m. at Post 253.
Then at noon, the flag raising to full staff will be held at Post 253.
Pierceton
American Legion Post 258’s Memorial Day parade starts at 11 a.m. Monday at the Pierceton fire station. At the end of the parade, there will be a ceremony at Brower Park.
Silver Lake
The Silver Lake Veterans Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lakeview Cemetery. It is sponsored by the Silver Lake Lions Club.
Syracuse
Every year there’s a parade in Syracuse for Memorial Day unless it’s rained out.
This year, it will start at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Medusa and Huntington streets. Half of the parade will line-up there at noon with the other half at the elementary school, according to American Legion Post 223.
After the parade, there will be a ceremony at the Syracuse Cemetery.
Warsaw
The annual services conducted by John C. Peterson Post 49 and James W. Sittler VFW Post 1126 will take place Monday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
The color guard, firing squad and other organizational units will form in front of the sexton’s office and begin marching to the ampitheater at 10:55 a.m.
The program will take place at the cemetery bandstand. Music will be provided by the Kosciusko County Extension Choir, with the posting of the colors by the combined color guards. Ken Locke will give the memorial address.
After the colors have been retired, the program will proceed to the Gar Circle and Legion Circle No. 2 where a presentation of a wreath will be placed on Legion Circle No. 2. Taps will follow the presentation, and the program will then be concluded at Legion Circles Nos. 1 and 3.
Carry-in dinner at Post 49 will follow the program.
As part of the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival, there will be a Memorial Day ceremony from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Center Lake Park.
