Area Memorial Day Services planned

     Members of the Montezuma American Legion Post 196 Fire Squad give the three-volley salute during Memorial Day services in 2021. This year's Memorial Day services starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at the Masonic IOOF Cemetery in Montezuma.

Following is a list of area Memorial Day services.
 
Montezuma
      Montezuma Memorial Day services will be held at the Masonic IOOF Cemetery on Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. The guest speaker is Dave Maxwell, Viet Nam Veteran and member of the House of Representative State of Iowa. The Montezuma Blakely Stevens Post 169 of the American Legion and its Auxiliary are hosting the services.
     Montezuma American Legion Auxiliary Unit 169 President Bea Hensel will introduce this year’s Hawkeye Girls’ State Representatives, Sadie DeJong and Abby Cheney, and their reading of the Gettysburg Address. The reading of General Logan’s Orders by Post 169 Commander Ron Hensel and Boys’ State Representative, Justin Smith.
     Montezuma Methodist Pastor Brian Cushman will sing “God Bless America.”
The Blakely Stevens Post 169 Ladies Auxiliary will place the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier as a token of our enduring memory. Chaplain Boyd Sparks will give the invocation and the Post 169 firing squad will deliver the three-volley salute. The Montezuma High School Band, under the direction of Carri Burnett, will perform several patriotic numbers, including Taps.
 
Brooklyn and Malcom
     A flag raising ceremony will be held at the Brooklyn Estates Nursing Home at 9 a.m., with assembly time at 8:30 a.m. The group will then proceed to the Brooklyn Cemetery for Memorial Day services at approximately 9:15 a.m.
   Speaker for the services will be pastor Joyce Proctor of the Grace United Methodist Church. Others participating will be the BGM High School Band, Poweshiek Pioneers 4-H Club, Madison Moovers 4-H Club, Junior Troop 369 and Cadette Troop 633. The Legion Auxiliary will place the wreath (in honor of all the service men and woman who have answered the last call) with the American Legion Posts 294 and 733 firing squads giving the three-volley salute.
     The BGM High School Band and Legion firing squads will proceed to the Malcom Cemetery where they will participate in the services at 10 a.m.
     In case of rain, the services will be held at the high school in Brooklyn and at the Legion Hall in Malcom.
 
Slack-Light, Dresden, Guernsey and Deep River
    The Deep River Morrison Schrader Post 296 of the American Legion is hosting Memorial Day services at four area cemeteries on Monday, May 30.
   The day will begin at 9 a.m. at Slack-Light Cemetery (line up at the Legion Hall at 8:15 a.m.). Dresden Cemetery will be the next stop at 9:30 a.m. Guernsey Cemetery will follow at 10 a.m. Post 296 Commander Larry Webber will conduct ceremony orders at the above mentioned services. Commander Larry Webber will then introduce Randy Johnson, Vice Commander (Fifth District) of Iowa Department of the American Legion, who will deliver a speech.
    The Deep River service will be held at Golden Rod Cemetery (Community Center if bad weather) beginning at 11 a.m.
    Commander Larry Webber will conduct ceremony orders followed by the “National Anthem” performed by the Montezuma High School Band under the direction of Carri Burnett. 
    The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag will follow with Commander Larry Webber welcoming all. Auxiliary President Tammi Quinlan and SAL Squadron Commander Bob Wilhelm will pay respects to recent departed Veterans and Auxiliary members.
     Invocation and Prayer for the Nation by Post Chaplain and Pastor Larry Naylor with the Church of Christ in Deep River. “Freedom is Not Free,” Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and “In Flanders Field” will follow.
Commander Larry Webber will introduce Randy Johnson, Vice Commander (Fifth District) of Iowa Department of the American Legion, who will deliver a speech.
  The Montezuma High School Band will perform patriotic numbers with Legion/SAL and Auxiliary representatives depositing wreaths at markers.
    Sergeant at Arms will give the "Salute our Departed Comrades.” The three-volley salute will follow with Legion Post 296 Bugler Zach Van Waardhuizen presenting Taps with echo.
    Flag pick up will be Monday, May 30 at 5 p.m.
 
Grinnell
    The Grinnell American Legion Post 53 and the VFW Post 3932 invite area residents to Memorial Day services on Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m. at Grinnell Central Park stage.
      The Ladies Auxiliary will be laying wreaths for each major war. The event will include a prayer, three-volley salute and patriotic numbers by the Grinnell Community Band.
      If it rains, the event will be held at the Elks Lodge.
 
Victor
      The Victor American Legion Post 54 is hosting a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the American Legion Post at 601 3rd St. After the service, there will be a short ceremony across the street from the Victor Memorial Cemetery with the laying of the wreath to the Unknown Soldier along with the three-volley salute and Taps.