Iowans are observing Memorial Day with a variety of programs and services this holiday weekend. Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May. The holiday is celebrated with parades and services in remembrance of the military men and women who died serving the country. Memorial Day events around Eastern Iowa communities are listed below:
BERTRAM
Monday, 11 a.m. — Non-denominational Memorial Day service at Campbell Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road. The featured speaker will be Dean Borg, retired Iowa Public Television host.
CEDAR RAPIDS
Sunday, 11 a.m. — World War II Honor Roll Re-Dedication at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 Third Ave. SE, in the large parlor. The church will hold a brief ceremony to rededicate an authentic World War II honor roll in memory of the 173 church members who fought in World War II. Westminster member Ted Kahler, a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific shortly after high school, helped touch up the plaque and plans to attend the ceremony.
Monday, 9 a.m. — Memorial Day Mass at St. John’s Cemetery, 1340 17th St. SE. Bring a lawn chair. Offertory collection will go toward cemetery maintenance. Rain location is St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW.
10 a.m. — Memorial Day program at Veterans Memorial Park, 950 Rockford Rd. SW, with the Area Metro Veterans Council and Veterans Memorial Day Commission. The program will kick off with the “Presentation of the Colors” and includes: General Logan’s orders, placement of wreaths, “Service Song Medley,” among other musical selections, a guest speaker and more. A collection of non-perishable food items for the Veterans Food Bank is planned.
CENTER POINT
Monday, 9:40 a.m. — American Legion Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at LJL Hall, 908 Main St. Participants will meet at LJL Hall and walk to the Washington Street bridge. They will then make their way back to Main Street and continue to the Center Point Cemetery for a ceremony, put on by members of the Dye Benion American Legion & Auxiliary 297, before returning to LJL Hall.
CORALVILLE
Monday, 8:30 a.m. — Ceremony at the foot bridge adjacent to Iowa River Power Company, 501 1st First Ave., in memory of service members who died at sea.
11:15 a.m. — Memorial Day Service at Oak Hill Cemetery, First Avenue north of I-80. Coralville American Legion Post 721 will hold the service, which is free and open to the public. The service will be moved to 11 a.m. at Coralville American Legion, 901 Second St., in the event of rain.
ELY
Monday, 11 a.m. — Ely Community Memorial Day Service at Rogers Grove Cemetery on Ivanhoe Road. Marv Peters, commander of Ely American Legion Post 555, will make opening remarks. Ely Presbyterian and St. John Lutheran choirs will join to perform the national anthem and other musical selections. Bring lawn chairs to the ceremony.
IOWA CITY
Monday, 9:30 a.m. — Memorial Day Service at the Grand Army of the Republic lot at Oakland Cemetery, 1000 Brown St., located at the flagpole near the Brown Street entrance.
11 a.m. — Service at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2600 Muscatine Ave.
MARION
Monday, 10 a.m. — Spirit of Iowa Tribute Bell on display at American Legion Post 298, 625 31st St. The bell honors and supports veterans, and Marion Post 298 is in possession of the memorial tribute for this holiday weekend.
SOLON
Monday, 9 a.m. — Memorial Day Mass in the cemetery at St. Bridget’s Church, 2136 St. Bridget’s Road NE. Attend Mass with family and friends and bring lawn chairs. Mass will be inside if it rains. After Mass, there will be a program inside the church honoring veterans, deceased family and all members of the church community. Light refreshments and cookies will be served following the program until 11:30 a.m. while the church remains open for fellowship.
URBANA
Monday, 11 a.m. — Annual Memorial Day Ham Dinner with the Urbana Lions Club — Urbana Legion at St. Mary Catholic Church, 402 Ash Ave. Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans and a variety of desserts will be served until 1:30 p.m. in Bosco Hall.
WEST BRANCH
Monday, 11 a.m. — Memorial Day parade on Houghton Avenue.
2 p.m. — Eastern Iowa Brass Band concert on the Village Green at Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum, 210 Parkside Dr. Free. Bring lawn chairs. The event will be canceled in the case of inclement weather.
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