Memorial Day services will take place across Mower County to honor those who gave their lives in military service to the country.

Taps will be heard at cemeteries in Mower County and across the county as the color guards of county veterans’ organizations pay tribute to the fallen. Flags will fly at half-staff; a silent testimony given in reverence to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Memorial Day is a sacred day for all vets because as we look back throughout our history, so many have lost their lives,” said retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Norman Hecimovich, president of the Memorial Day Committee. A veteran of Korea, Vietnam, and Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Hecimovich is the past commander of VFW Post 1216, American Legion Post 91 and DAV Post 27.

About 1.1 million Americans have been killed in war since the American Revolution.

This year marks 100 years since U.S. entry into World War I, in which over 116,000 Americans lost their lives. Over 15,000 people attended the funeral of Olaf B. Damm, the first Mower County resident killed in World War I.

VFW Post 1216 is named in Damm’s honor.

Hecimovich encourages the public to attend a Memorial Day service.

“It is something people have to see,” he said. “Freedom came at a very high price, and it is often taken for granted.”

Memorial Day services

Austin Veterans and Civil Organizations

Services in Austin will begin at 6:30 a.m. All services are open to the public unless specifically noted.

•6:30 a.m. — Flag raising at VFW and American Legion

•6:45 a.m. — Breakfast for all Memorial Day participants at the American Legion Post No. 91

•7:45 a.m. — Raise flag and program at Veterans Memorial — Mower County Courthouse

•8:30 a.m. — Parade line-up on Fourth Avenue Northeast

•8:45 a.m. — Parade (Fourth Avenue Northeast, South on Main Street and East on Second Avenue Northeast)

•9:30 a.m. — Soldiers Monument service at Oakwood Cemetery

•10:15 a.m. — Honor Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Service Persons buried at sea at Horace Austin State Park Bridge with firing a salute and depositing of the wreath in the river.

•11 a.m. — Cavalry Cemetery service by the VFW and DAV/Grandview Cemetery service by the American Legion

•11:30 a.m. — Lansing Cemetery service by the VFW and DAV/Enterprise Cemetery service by the American Legion

•Noon — Midway/Oakland Cemetery service by the VFW and DAV

Adams American Legion

Adams American Legion Post #146 will host color guard ceremonies throughout the morning. Services are open to the public.

•9 a.m. — Meet at the Mower County Road 7 Bridge south of Adams

•9:30 a.m. — Johnsburg Cemetery

•10:15 a.m. — Rose Creek Cemetery

•11 a.m. — Little Cedars Cemetery

•11:45 a.m. — Sacred Heart Cemetery

•Noon — Lunch at Sacred Heart School

•1 p.m. — Flag disposal at Adams Legion Post #146

Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club

The Blooming Prairie American Legion and VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries invite the public to attend the following events.

•9:30 a.m. — Coffee and doughnuts for event participants at Servicemen’s Club

•10:30 a.m. — Assemble for parade at Prairie Plumbing and Heating Parking Lot

•11 a.m. — Memorial Service at the Blooming Prairie City Cemetery. Speaker: Pastor Jeff Sandgren, First Lutheran (if it rains, it will be held at the Servicemen’s Club)

•Noon — Pulled pork sandwich basket ($5) will be available at the Servicemen’s Club

There will be a presentation and recognition of the 2016-17 VFW Voice of Democracy winner and VFW Patriotic Art winner, Marissa Larson. Quilts of Valor will be presented to the veterans. Veterans Memorial Raffle Drawing will also be held.

Grand Meadow American Legion

The Harry T. Anderson American Legion Post No. 140 of Grand Meadow will be holding Color Guard ceremonies at various cemeteries throughout the day, beginning at 8 a.m. Services are open to the public.

•8 a.m. — Immanuel Lutheran and Pleasant Valley Cemetery

•8:15 a.m. — St. John’s Cemetery

•8:35 a.m. — Racine-Salem Cemetery

•8:50 a.m. — Sumner Cemetery

•9:10 a.m. — Hamilton Cemetery

•9:25 a.m. — Frankfort Cemetery

•9:40 a.m. — Bear Creek Cemetery

•11:15 a.m. — Grand Meadow Cemetery

•11:30 a.m. — St. Finbarr’s Cemetery

•11:45 a.m. — Dexter Cemetery

•12:05 p.m. — Zion Lutheran Cemetery

•12:30 p.m. — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery

•12:45 p.m. — Hoflanda Cemetery

Hayfield American Legion

Hayfield American Legion Post #330 will be holding Memorial Day services at area cemeteries, beginning at 8:05 a.m. The bus for “marchers” leaves the Legion at 7:30 a.m. All services are open to the public.

•8:05 a.m. — Trinity Cemetery

•8:25 a.m. — St. Michael’s Cemetery

•8:50 a.m. — Greenwood Cemetery

•9:15 a.m. — Waltham Cemetery

•9:35 a.m. — St. John’s Cemetery

•10:10 a.m. — Evanger Cemetery

•10:25 a.m. — West St. Olaf Cemetery

•11:10 a.m. — Fairview Cemetery

•11:30 a.m. — Memorial Day Program at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hayfield. In case of inclement weather, the program will be at the Hayfield High School Gym. A chicken dinner will be served at the Legion afterwards.

Lyle American Legion

Lyle American Legion Post #105 will be holding Color Guard ceremonies throughout the morning at various cemeteries starting at 9 a.m. Services are open to the public.

•9 a.m. — Cedar City Cemetery

•9:30 a.m. — London Cemetery

•10 a.m. — Deer Creek Cemetery

•10:30 a.m. — Woodbury Cemetery

•11 a.m. — Mona Cemetery

•11:30 a.m. — Six Mile Grover Cemetery

•11:30 a.m. — Memorial Day Dinner at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church. Serving pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, beans, relishes and pies. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 5-12, free for ages 0-4.