Memorial Day Events Planned

Northwest Iowa — Memorial Day will be observed in the United States on Monday, May 28th.

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.

Sheldon: 

The Sheldon First Christian Reformed Church Young People will be holding a Pancake Breakfast on Monday, May 28th, serving from 7:00 – 9:30 am. This event will take place at the Sheldon Christian School. Freewill donations will be accepted, with proceeds going towards the First CRC Young People.

In observance of Memorial Day, flags will be displayed at the Sheldon City Park. They are going to be put out on Monday, May 28th, at 7:00 a.m. weather permitting, and taken back down at 5:30 p.m. Over thirty volunteers are needed to help put the flags out and take them back down. If you are able to help, they ask you to meet at the City Park. 

All are welcome to help the Sheldon American Legion decorate the graves of Veterans for Memorial Day weekend: This will be done on Saturday, May 26 at 9:00 a.m.  Meet at East Lawn Cemetery for instructions.  Take down will occur Monday, May 28th right after flags are taken down in central park.

There will be a Memorial Day Service in Sheldon on Monday, May 28th, beginning at 10:00 am at the Sheldon Community High School. Participating in the service are the American Legion, Sheldon High School Band, and several community residents. The guest speaker will be Pastor Cory Van Sloten of the Lebanon Christian Reformed Church. This service is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend and pay tribute to those who have served our country. The service will be recorded for broadcast on KIWA AM 1550 and FM 100.7. at noon on Monday.

Ashton:

The Ashton Memorial Day events begin with coffee and rolls from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Ashton Legion Community Center downtown. After that, they’ll have the Memorial Day Service at 9:30, followed by the cemetery service at 10:30. Immediately following the cemetery service, at around 11:00 a.m., they’ll have the Memorial Day Dinner at the Legion Community Center. They’ll serve until around 1 p.m. The meal will consist of pork loin sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips, ice cream, and beverages.


Boyden:

In Boyden, the Boyden American Legion is asking for volunteers to help put up the Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28. You are asked to meet at the Boyden Cemetery at 6:30 a.m. Take down will be at 1:00 p.m.

The Boyden Memorial Day Service will be held at the Demco Center on Monday, May 28 at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

George:

George’s Memorial Day activities include the posting of the Avenue Of Flags, which will take place at 7:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to volunteer. 

The Bridge Service will be at 9:15 a.m., with the service at the Veterans’ Memorial to start at 9:30. The main Memorial Day service in George is at 10:00 a.m. at the George/Little Rock High School auditorium. Fifty-year certificates will be presented to Dennis Hansmann, Jerry Hickman, Harris Kaster, and posthumously to Delton Patton, who passed away in February. Paster John Pea from Ebeneezer and Zoar Presbyterian will have the message, with music provided by George/Little Rock students. From there, they’ll process from to the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, for a short service and then to the Good Samaritan Home.


Hawarden:

The Hawarden Christian Reformed Church will be hosting a Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast on Monday, May 28th, from 7:30 until 10:00 a.m., at the Hawarden Community Center. Breakfast for Adults is $8, Children ages 5-12 are $5, and children under the age of 5 eat free. 


Hull:

American Reformed Church in Hull at 911 First Street is hosting a Pancake Breakfast on Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day) from 7-10 a.m. at the church. A freewill offering will be accepted with proceeds going to covering costs for Rocky Mountain High and Power Connection.


Ireton:

Ireton Christian Reformed Church’s Christian Ed Unit is putting on a Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast from 6:00 until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 28. Freewill donations will be accepted.

Little Rock:

Little Rock’s Memorial Day observance will be at the Little Rock school at 10 a.m. The prayer and address will be by Pastor Scott Burdsall of the First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock. Merlin Ver Steeg will read the names of the graves being decorated. A service at the Pleasant View Cemetery will follow. After that, everyone is invited to the Town & Country Building for refreshments.


Ocheyedan:

In Ocheyedan, their Memorial Day service starts at 9:45 a.m. at the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery. The address will be given by Pastor Bill Vander Heide. After the service, coffee and doughnuts will be available for a freewill donation. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the service will be in the Ocheyedan Town Hall.


Orange City:

The Orange City Memorial Day service will be at 9:30 a.m. at West Lawn Cemetery. The inclement weather location is at First Reformed Church in Orange City. The speaker will be Dan McCarty from the Orange City Area Health System. Participants in Girls State and Boys State will do readings. Recorded music will be played. They will do the usual gun salute and Taps will be played. All events are presented by the American Legion Pressman Kosters Post 329 of Orange City.


Rock Rapids:

In Rock Rapids, veterans and volunteers are asked to assemble at Riverview Cemetary at 6 p.m. on Friday night, May 25th to put flags on graves. The big flags, each honoring the memory of a veteran will be placed in the Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day morning at 7 a.m., and they could use your help for that as well.

The Memorial Day Ceremony in Rock Rapids will be at Riverview Cemetery, starting at 10 a.m. Rex Strait Post 103 American Legion and Van Anne-Fields VFW post 6960 prayers will be prayed. The speaker will be Iowa Senate candidate Zach Whiting. Payton Vogel will read about the Star Spangled Banner and will do the Gettysburg Address. There will be a Salute To The Dead and taps will be played. They will then go to the Holy Name Catholic Cemetery for another Salute To The Dead, and Taps will be played. The cemetery services will be held at Forster Community Center if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Cookies and coffee will be served at the VFW Club after the ceremonies.

Sanborn:

There will be a Sanborn breakfast in honor of and as a thank you to local servicemen and veterans who have worked to protect the community, and especially those who paid the ultimate price for that goal. The breakfast is open to all hosted at the Sanborn Community Center. They’ll serve from 8-10 a.m. on Memorial Day. It’s presented by the Cornerstone United Reformed Church.


Sibley:

The Sibley Memorial Day Service will be at Holman Township Cemetery. It will begin at 11:00 a.m.


Sioux Center:

Sioux Center has several events planned to honor veterans. They’ll start with a service on Sunday night, May 27th, at the First Reformed church. God’s Word will be shared by Army Chaplain (Major) Peter Hofman. He’ll also give his personal testimony. A freewill offering will be accepted for the Sioux Center Doornink-Brunsting American Legion Post 199. They ask that veterans meet at 6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall and be seated as a group.

On Memorial Day, the events will start with a VFW Bike Decorating Contest at 8:30 a.m. in the Beaver Eye Care parking lot, then kids can join the parade, which will be at 9:15 a.m., starting at the Sioux Center Public Library parking lot. That will continue south along Highway 75 to Memory Gardens Cemetery. The service there will follow the parade.

 

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