Memorial Day services honor and celebrate veterans in Dallas County
Memorial Day this year is on Monday, May 27, and will be celebrated with plenty of events and ceremonies throughout Dallas County.
Memorial Day honors all soldiers who died during service to the nation. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, to occur on the last Monday of May each year, but its roots date back to the Civil War era. The observance was originally called Decoration Day, when individuals placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
Here's what Dallas County communities have planned for Memorial Day this year:
Adel: Oakdale Cemetery
The Adel American Legion Penoach Post 464 and Auxiliary Unit 464 would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Monday at Oakdale Cemetery. This day is our opportunity to give thanks to the heroes that died and the loved ones left behind to make sure that their sacrifices are remembered and that their service to this nation will always be honored. Please bring a lawn chair, since no seating is available. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will not be held.
Dallas Center: Mound Park
The Dallas Center American Legion and Auxiliary will host the Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. on Monday at Mound Park. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the event. In case of inclement weather, it will be at the middle school gymnasium. Please plan to attend.
Fairview United Methodist Church
The annual Memorial Day program will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday at Fairview United Methodist Church, 2162 Deer Ave., Perry. The program will honor veterans with music, readings and a short message. Perry Boy Scout Troop 127 will present the flag. The program will conclude with a gun salute in the cemetery by the Rippey American Legion.
Iowa Veterans Cemetery
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony which honors and remembers those who have served in the US military. The free ceremony is 8-9 a.m. Monday and will also be livestreamed on the cemetery’s Facebook page. Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to attend the event, according to a news release.
Minburn: Brown, Kimrey, Elmwood Cemetery, Raccoon River Bridge
On Monday, the Minburn American Legion will be honoring fallen veterans at four locations: 9:30 a.m. at Brown Cemetery; 10 a.m. Kimrey Cemetery; 10:30 a.m. Elmwood Cemetery followed by the Raccoon River Bridge Ceremony.
Directly following the ceremonies, Minburn Legion Auxiliary will be serving a hot dog/chili dog lunch at the Skating Rink Food Stand until 1 p.m. Free-will donations will be accepted with proceeds to help fund the Minburn Fourth of July celebration.
Perry: Veterans Memorial Park
The Perry VFW Post 2060 will host a Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 27 at Veterans Memorial Park, 8th and Bateman. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Waukee: Waukee Cemetery
The Waukee Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts invite the community to attend their annual Memorial Day Ceremony and wreath laying at the Waukee Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day.
Folks will gather by the veterans' monument and flag at Waukee Cemetery, near the water tower. Bring a lawn chair so your family and friends can comfortably join the hour of reflection.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What's happening in Dallas County for Memorial Day in 2024?
