Northwest Iowa — This coming Monday is Memorial Day.
It’s a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Several Memorial Day observances and related events have been planned in our area.
In Sheldon, volunteers are needed to help set up the Sheldon Avenue of Flags for Memorial Day weekend. If you are willing to assist in setting up the flags, please be on the east side of the City Park at 7:00 AM Saturday, May 28th. Volunteers will also be needed to retire the flags on Monday, May 30th at 5:30 PM. The actual observance will be presented by the Sheldon American Legion McGlothan-Cowie Post 145 at the Sheldon High School Auditorium at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day Monday. If you can’t make it to the service, KIWA will have live video on the KIWA Facebook page. And then volunteers will also be needed to help retire the flags on Memorial Day 5:30 p.m. at the Sheldon City Park. Also, the Sheldon First Christain Reformed Church’s Young People will have a Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast at the Sheldon Christian School gym from 7:00-10:00 a.m. It’s open to the public and free will donations will be accepted. They’ll serve pancakes, eggs, sausage, and beverages. The proceeds raised will go towards their service project.
The Hartley American Legion Post #288 will take care of the Memorial Day Service there. It will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the Pleasant View Cemetery.
In Sanborn, the observance will be at 10 a.m. at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School in Sanborn. Speakers will include Merne Haak, Fred Anema, and Dan Donovan. Music will be provided by the HMS Middle School Chorus and Sanborn Christian School students will also do a reading.
In Ashton, the Ashton Legion and Town & Country will present the events. They’ll start with coffee & rolls at the Legion from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The service will be from 9:30 to 10:30, with the cemetery service from 10:30 to 11. After the cemetery service they invite you back to the Legion for a lunch from 11 to 1. Freewill donations will be accepted for the pork loin meal.
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 AM, Monday, May 30, 2022. 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.
In Ocheyedan, there will be a pancake breakfast on Memorial Day from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Ocheyedan City Park. Pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, and drinks will be served for a freewill donation. It’s sponsored by the Gems & Cadets of the Ocheyedan Christain Reformed Church.
In Sibley, their observance will be at 11:00 a.m. at Holman Township Cemetery. The special speaker will be Retired Army Command Sergent Major Gary Handeland. Music will be provided by the Sibley/Ocheyedan High School Band. In case of rain the program will be in the Sibley Legion Building.
The Boyden Memorial Day Program will be held on Monday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Demco Community Center. The guest speaker will be Jordan Helming. Music will be provided by the Godtland family. Poppies will be available at local businesses and before the service. The donations collected for the poppies will be used for area veterans in need.
The Hawarden, Ireton, and Lebanon Christian Reformed Churches will host a Memorial Day worship service at the Oak Grove Park, north of Hawarden on Sunday, May 29, at 10 AM. Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs. This year’s speaker is Chaplain Major Corey Van Sloten. A free meal will be served following the service. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Hawarden Community Center.
In Orange City, the program will be on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at their West Lawn Cemetery. The speaker will be Air Force veteran Kyle Korver. There will be parking available south of the memorial. Some seating will be available, but bring your lawn chairs. In case of rain, the service will be moved to the Orange City First Reformed Church.
There are several services and activities in Sioux Center, starting with a Sunday evening service at 7 p.m. at Central Reformed Church. Corey Van Sloten and Jordan Helming will conduct the service. On Monday, it will start with the VFW Bike Decorating Contest at the Kinsey Elementary parking lot. Judging is at 8:30 a.m. with prizes, then kids can join the parade, which will line up at 9 a.m. and start at 9:15 a.m. from the Kinsey Elementary parking lot to Memory Gardens Cemetery. The 9:30 service will follow, with special music including the Sioux Center High School Music Department and speaker Pastor Tyler Stauffer, an Army National Guard Chaplain. In case of rain, the service will move to the Centre Mall.
The Doon activities will start with veterans meeting at 8:45 to march, accompanied by the Central Lyon 7-8 Band. Reverend John Vermeer of the Doon United Reformed Chruch will be the special speaker. The Central Lyon 7-8 Band will also perform. If it rains, the service is moved to the Doon Community Center (former school).
In George, the program will be at 10 a.m. at the George-Little Rock High School. Pastor Jesse Sternke of First Baptist Memorial Church is the featured speaker. The George-Little Rock High School Band will provide music. A service at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery will follow, as will a short service at the George Good Samaritan Center.
The Rock Rapids observance will be at Riverview Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Noelle Bonjour will be the speaker. The rain location is the Forster Community Center in Rock Rapids.
