Americans will pause to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of our nation, from the Revolutionary War to the worldwide war on terrorism on Memorial Day, May 25. Observances are scheduled around the county as follows:
Jefferson: The Floyd Brown American Legion post and David M. Mosher VFW post will conduct a brief ceremony at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery at 9:30 am with a firing squad and John Mobley playing “Taps.”
The service at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery will begin at 10:45 am with Jefferson mayor pro tem Shannon Black as emcee. Members of the Jefferson fire department will raise the flags. Music will be provided by the Greene County High School band, with Mobley and Jack Schilling playing “Taps.” Blake Halligan will read his essay “What the Flag Means to Me.” Lt Barb Labate, US Navy-Ret, will give the Memorial Day address.
Scranton area: A Memorial Day observance will begin at 9:45 am at the Scranton Township Cemetery west of Scranton. The Greene County High School band will play, with 2015 graduate Kallie Citurs singing and other high school students giving the address. Roger Hoyt will offer a prayer. The names of all those persons buried at the cemetery in the past year will be read.
Bring lawn chairs. In case of bad weather, the service will be held at the Scranton Community Center.
Also, northwest of Scranton, a service will be held at the Dillavou Cemetery Monday at 2 pm. (Turn north off Highway 30 on County Road N-58. Continue north to 190th St, turn east, and at the top of the hill turn north on Alpine Ave.) A new veteran’s memorial will be dedicated with assistance of Merle Hay American Legion post.
Bring lawn chairs. In case of bad weather, the service will be held at the Ralston Community Church.
Rippey area: The Kinkead-Martin Legion Post #583 of Rippey will conduct the ceremony at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Sunday, May 24, at 12 pm.
On Memorial Day, the Legionnaires will conduct the ceremony at the Fairview Cemetery after the 9 am services at the church near Perry. They will be at the Angus Cemetery at 10 am, Old Rippey Cemetery at 10:30 am, and conclude the services at the Rippey Cemetery at 11 am. There will be a lunch served at the Rippey United Methodist Church after the services at the cemetery.
Churdan area: Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick Church in Cedar Township at 8 am followed by a brief service at the St Patrick Cemetery.
American Legion Post 198 will conduct a Memorial Day service at Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan Monday at 9:30 am. The Town and Country Band will provide music, with Jeff Lamoureux reading Gen McArthur’s poignant words in the band setting of “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Grand Junction: There will be no Memorial Day services at the Junction Township Cemetery nor Mount Calvary Cemetery, but the Grand Junction fire department will erect the Avenue of Flags.
The annual Memorial Day dinner, which previously has followed the cemetery services, will still be served from 11 am to 1 pm at the church at 12th and Hager St. Take-outs will be available.
The Lincoln Highway museum on Main St will be open Monday afternoon.
