This weekend we will honor the men and women who have served the nation in the U.S. military. Families will decorate the gravesites of loved ones like these in the Le Mars Memorial Cemetery. [Click to enlarge]

Plymouth County American Legion and V.F.W. posts will join with others across the United States in Memorial Day services Monday to honor the U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. Seven communities in Plymouth County will hold special services.

Le Mars

The Memorial Day observance in Le Mars begins at 9:30 a.m. with a parade.

The parade will start at Central Avenue and Second Street North, and proceed south to Third Street, turning east to the Plymouth County Courthouse, where 1,023 flags will be posted for the Avenue of Flags.

This year's parade marshal is Sgt. Daniel LaVerne Sesker of Ogden. He was killed on April 6, 2006, about 30 miles northwest of Tikrit, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near his truck. He was a member of the Troop C, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry of Le Mars. He enlisted in the Iowa National Guard on August 21, 2000, and had been previously deployed to Kosovo in 2003 as part of Operation Joint Guardian. He volunteered to transfer to Troop C for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received several awards and decorations including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

The annual Memorial Day program by American Legion Wasmer Post 241 begins at 10 a.m., with music provided by the Le Mars Municipal Band. The program includes the wreath presentations by the American Legion Auxiliary, Jim Rolfes reading his poem, "Come Visit My Grave," the reading "What I'll be Doing for Memorial Day" by Vietnam veteran James Leiker read by Vietnam era veterans. Presentation of 60-year membership certificates; the reading of the Flag Roster of 1,023 names by Patrick Murphy, the posting of new flags by families, friends and Legionnaires, and the retiring of colors.

A flyover by two F-16's from the 132nd Fighter Wing of Des Moines is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

The membership of Wasmer Post wants the program to focus on the basic concept of Memorial Day, remembering veterans and therefore there will be no speaker so all veterans may be recognized during the flag name reading ceremony.

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Five men, Richard Hentges, Donald Hunstad, Kenneth Lubben, Donald Rollinger and Robert Roseberry, will be honored for 60 years of continuous Legion membership.

Akron

Memorial Day activities in Akron begin with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade will include legionnaires, auxiliary members, Girl and Boy Scouts, and the Akron-Westfield Marching Band. A flag raising ceremony will be held downtown, and a program honoring veterans will be held in Akron City Park following the parade.

Music will be provided by the Akron-Westfield High School Band. The program includes the wreath presentations; "Logan's Order" by Joshua Mahaney; "In Flanders Field" by Carissa Westergard; "The Gettysburg Address" by Nicholas Parks; the reading of the Flag Roster by Marvin Hitzemann, and the dedication of seven new flags.

Arden Gale will give the Memorial Day address.

Auxiliary members will serve a lunch after the service at the Legion Hall.

Brunsville

American Legion Heeren-McHale-Wilken Post 724 will conduct services at 10:30 a.m. at the Legion Hall.

Guest speaker will be Mike Oehm of Lincoln, Neb., who is a instructor in the Service.

The post will also present awards to 50 and 60-year members of the Legion post.

More than 125 flags will be posted on the Avenue of Flags as part of the ceremony.

A potluck meal and fellowship will follow the service. The meat, drinks and tableware will be furnished. Anyone attending is asked to bring a salad or dessert.

Hinton

Memorial Day services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Hinton Community Center, conducted by American Legion Casper Post 477. The Hinton High School band will provide patriotic music.

Delivering the Memorial Day address will be a guest speaker from the 185th Air Refueling Wing based in Sioux City.

During the ceremony eleven new members will be inducted into Post 477.

A cross and flag display honoring deceased veterans will be outside the Hinton Community Center.

A lunch will follow at the community center.

Merrill

American Legion Oleson-Halweg Post 125 will hold their Avenue of Flags and Memorial Day program at the park north of the Community Center beginning at 10 a.m. A total of 210 flags honoring deceased veterans will fly in the Merrill Avenue of Flags. At this ceremony, the new Veteran's Memorial, listing almost 300 names, will be dedicated.

Guest speakers from each of the four main branches of the military will address those in attendance.

The program will include the traditions of the casket, wreaths, gun salute and taps.

A lunch will be served following the service at Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend.

Remsen and Oyens

The annual Memorial Day program at the Remsen and Oyens cemeteries is sponsored by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The day begins with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Cemetery followed by the traditional services at the flag pole site at the cemetery. In case of inclement weather, the Remsen program will be held at the city auditorium at 10 a.m. and the Oyens program at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine's School cafeteria.

Music will be provided by the St. Mary's Band under the direction of Brian Luther.

Ashley Tritz, daughter of Jeff and Sandy Tritz and Senior at Remsen-Union High School, will read a short essay. Amanda Ruden, daughter of Tim and Deb Bonstetter and Mike Ruden and a Senior at Remsen-Union High School, will read a short essay, too.

The Rev. Craig Miller of St. Paul Lutheran Church, will be the guest speaker.

The Master of ceremonies for the program will be Bob Gengler. Following the speaker will be Avenue of Flags roll call.

Wreath presentation and salute to the colors by the Legion and the V.F.W. color guard.

The flags of 263 veterans will be flown on the Avenue of Flags on the Washington St. Boulevard and at the cemetery in Remsen. Volunteers are needed at 10 a.m. Saturday to help put up the flags and again at 4 p.m. on Monday to retire the flags.

At Oyens, the Avenue of Flags has 52 veterans flags, located along the driveway at the Cemetery in Oyens.

Kingsley

Memorial Day services at Kingsley will be held at 9 a.m. at the Catholic Cemetery and at 10 a.m. at the City Cemetery, conducted by members of American Legion. Coffee and rolls will be served at the Community Center after the services at the City Cemetery.

The Avenue of Flags will be put up Sunday and Monday. Breakfast for the workers will be served by the Auxiliary members after the flags are up.