Memorial Day services honor service men, women

Plymouth County American Legion and V.F.W. posts will join with others across the United States in Memorial Day services Monday, May 25, to honor the U.S. men and women who served their country in military service with a special tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice 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 1,088 flags will be posted for the Avenue of Flags.

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, a reading of Jim Rolfes' poem, "Come Visit My Grave," Presentation of 50-year membership and certificates; the reading of the Flag Roster of 1,088 names by Patrick Murphy, the posting of new flags by families, friends and Legionnaires, and the retiring of colors.

Wasmer Post Adjutant Tom Baack will present a tribute to PFC John W. Brodie USMC, who was died while serving in the Korean War, speaking of his life, his service and his death. The presentation continues a tradition by the Post to provide special recognition to those who have died in service to their country.

Three men, Kenneth Heien, John J. Kessenich Jr. and Gerald Probst will be honored for 50 years of continuous membership in the American Legion.

An F-16 flyover by the 132d Fighter Wing of Des Moines is also planned during the morning service.

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.

Akron

Memorial Day activities in Akron begin with a 10 a.m. flag raising at the American Legion Hall at Fourth and Reed Streets. A short parade will travel down Reed Street to Second Street, and then north to Mill Street and up to Fifth Street, ending at the park at the Veterans Memorial for the program.

Guest speaker is Robert Mahon, immediate Past Department Commander for the American Legion for the State of Iowa.

At least 11 new flags will be dedicated during the ceremony. Music will be provided by the Akron-Westfield High School Band.

Bleachers will be available in the park for seating, however those attending may also bring lawn chairs. Cars should be parked in the swimming pool parking lot.

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

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the American 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 the Lt. Col. Mark W. Brown, a former Brunsville resident, who retired from the Air Force May 12, 2009, after 27 years of service. His most recent assignment was public affairs officer for the Secretary of The Air Force Public Affairs at the Pentagon.

From 2004 to 2008 he was stationed at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Hickman Air Force Base, Hawaii, and started the Iowa DNA program which helped to identify four Iowans, including his father's cousin who was lost in a bombing raid over Germany, and the process of identifying the WWII airman (the Ice Man) found in a glacier in California.

His assignments since 1990 include being in charge of Media Pool 14 during Operation Desert Storm; working with intelligence community to counter Taliban propaganda spread about American war fighter working with the Northern alliance in Operation Enduring Freedom and working with coalition forces to facilitate media covering the humanitarian efforts to get food and medicine to the Iraqi people as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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.

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 41st Annual Avenue of Flags and Memorial Day program at the Veteran's Memorial on the grounds by the Merrill Civic Center at 10 a.m.The program includes an honor guard placement of a flag for each veteran who has served Post 125.

Guest speaker will be Larry Hoing of Le Mars, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1980-1984 as an interior communication electrician.

Hoing grew up in the U.S. Navy as his father was a Navy veteran from the Korean War and served in the Merchant Marines during the Vietnam War. His father was the driving force behind the U.S. Navy Sea Cadet Corps in Sioux City, which Hoing attended weekly with from the age of 11 to 18.

He served aboard the USS Acadia out of San Diego, Calif.

He has been employed with Wells' Dairy, Inc., for 25 years and serves as the reliability and engineering systems manager.

A lunch will be served following the service at Civic Center.

All donation proceeds from the lunch will go to Joe Delashmutt, a current member of the Le Mars Army Guard unit. While in Iraq two year ago, Delashmutt incurred a life threatening illness and which continues today. Proceeds will go to help Joe and his family with medical expenses.

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 Ryan Meyer.

Jeanne Pick, daughter of Arlie and Deb Pick and a junior at Remsen-Union High School, will read a short essay. Nathan Ruhland, son of Doug and Susan Ruhland, and a senior at Remsen St. Mary's High School, will also read a short essay.

The Rev. Dennis Martens, representing Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen, will be the guest speaker. Following the speaker will be Avenue of Flags roll call.

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

The flags of 283 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 58 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 Nash Post 140. Coffee and rolls will be served at the Community Center after the services at the City Cemetery.

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