Northwest Iowa — This Monday, May 27th is Memorial Day in the United States. Originally called “Decoration Day”, and celebrated on May 30th, the day was created to honor Civil War dead. It has since been expanded to honor all veterans who have died in service to the United States, and Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday of May.
In addition to national observances, many local communities will hold Memorial Day services and events in northwest Iowa. Here are some of them.
Sheldon:
Sheldon American Legion Post 145 will be putting Flags and Crosses up at the cemeteries this Saturday morning at 9:00. Everyone is welcome to join them.
The Memorial Day Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning at Sheldon High School. If you are unable to attend, you may watch the Facebook Live feed on KIWA’s Facebook page.
The First Christian Reformed Church’s Young People will be hosting a Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast at the Christian School gym on Monday, May 27th from 7:00 – 9:30 a.m. Pancakes, eggs, and sausage will be served.
Ashton:
In Ashton, the morning will start off with coffee and rolls at 8:30 a.m. The Memorial Day Service will be from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., followed by the Cemetery Service at 10:30. Immediately following the Cemetery Service, Ashton will host a Memorial Day Dinner, serving from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Ashton Legion Hall. The meal will include pork loin sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips, ice cream, and a drink for a free will donation.
Doon:
Monday’s activities will start with coffee and rolls at 8 a.m. at the Doon Community Center. Veterans are to assemble at 8:45. There will be a short parade downtown starting at 9 a.m., ending at the Doon Veterans Memorial at the Doon Park. The parade will be followed by a service at the Doon Hillside Cemetery. Music at both the parade and the memorial service will be provided in part by the Central Lyon 7-8 Band, under the direction of Mrs. Emily Deutsch.
George:
Brief services in George will be held at the bridge at 9:15 a.m. and at the memorial site at 9:30, followed by the main service at 10:00 a.m. at the George-Little Rock School. The welcome will be by Commander Wendel De Beer. Dennis Schrick will have the opening prayer. Pastor Sean Mustian of Central Baptist Church will be the speaker. Four veterans will be honored for their service. The George-Little Rock High School Band will provide music. The military salute will be given by Larry Peterson, and Taps will be played by Harris Kaster. The American Legion says that weather permitting, they will put out the Avenue of Flags at 7:00 a.m. on Memorial Day and will take them down at 4 p.m., and they could use your help.
Hawarden:
The Hawarden Christian Reformed Church will be hosting a Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast on Monday, May 27th, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hawarden Community Center.
Ireton:
The Ireton Christian Reformed Church will be holding their Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast on Monday, May 27th from 7-10 a.m. at the Ireton Shelter House. Freewill donations will be accepted.
Little Rock:
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Little Rock Elementary. Pastor Chris Lemmon will have the invocation and is the speaker. There will be a short service at Pleasant View Cemetery. The Legion Honor Guard will salute the dead, and the Legion will play Taps.
Melvin:
American Legion Post 470 in Melvin invites everyone to observe Memorial Day services at Baker cemetery two miles east and two miles north of Melvin beginning at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 27th. Those attending are urged to bring lawn chairs for their comfort. In case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held in the American Legion Community Center in Melvin.
Orange City:
The Pressman Kosters Post 329 will hold a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27th at 9:30 a.m. at Westlawn Cemetery. In case of rain, it will be held at the First Reformed Church in Orange City.
Rock Rapids:
Veterans will put out the small flags on graves on Friday night at 6 p.m. On Monday, they’ll put out the avenue of flags. Your help would be appreciated at either event.
Monday’s observance will begin at 10 a.m. at Riverview Cemetary. The speaker will be Bill Kortemeyer. Rex Strait Post 103 American Legion and Van Anne-Fields VFW Post 6960 will each have a prayer and the Auxiliaries will lead prayers. The Central Lyon High School Band will provide music, including the Star Spangled Banner, and will be directed by Mr. Sherwin Langholdt. There will be a salute to dead and Taps will be played. After that, there will be a service at the Catholic Cemetery, which will be followed by coffee and cookies at the VFW Club downtown. The ceremonies will be at the Forster Community Center if it rains.
Sanborn:
This Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, there will be a pancake breakfast in the Sanborn Community Center located on Main Street next to Sanborn Savings Bank and across from Sanborn Foods grocery store. It is free and open to all, hosted by Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn.
Sibley:
The program will begin at Holman Township Cemetery at 9:00 a.m. If there is inclement weather, it will be in the Legion Hall instead. Pastor Doug Noonkester from the First Baptist Church of Sibley will have the prayer. Master Sergent Amos Kleinwolterink is the speaker. An ensemble of Sibley-Ocheyedan band musicians will provide the music. (They’ll also provide the music a the Ocheyedan service, which will start at 10:30 a.m. in Ocheyedan.)
Sioux Center:
Observances in Sioux Center will start on Sunday evening, May 26th at 7 p.m. at the First Reformed Church. Veterans are asked to dress in their dress uniform if possible and assemble at 6:45 to be seated together. On Monday, Bethel Christian Reformed Church will be holding a Memorial Day pancake breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. Freewill donations will be accepted. That will be followed by an 8:30 a.m. VFW Bike Decorating Contest, a 9:15 a.m. parade, which begins at the Sioux Center Public Library, and the 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day Program at Memory Gardens Cemetery. If it rains, they’ll be in the Centre Mall.
