Plans are underway for special events in Austin on Monday, Memorial Day.

There will be flags waved to the spectators from parade units including the Minnesota Army National guard, local veterans organization, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America and others.

The Austin High School marching band will entertain with music.

Elks, Eagles and Moose lodges' members and auxiliaries will be among the parade units.

Organizers remind all to show proper respect for the flag when it passes by in the parade or when it is raised at multiple flag-raisings throughout the day.

The schedule begins 6:50 a.m. with flag-raisings at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 and American Legion Post No. 91.

Then, units of the VFW and American Legion will assemble at the Mower County Veterans Memorial on the west courthouse lawn for another flag-raising at 8:05 a.m.

The annual Memorial Day parade through downtown Austin begins 8:30 a.m. with the line-up outside the Hormel Employees Credit Union at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street NE

and the parade in the greater downtown area at 8:45 a.m.

After the parade all units will go to Oakwood Cemetery for the traditional graveside services, beginning 9:30 a.m.

At 10:05 a.m., U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and Coast Guard veterans will be honored with the firing of a 21-gun salute and the wreath-tossing into the Cedar River at the Fourth Street NE bridge along North Main Street.

Then, VFW and American Legion firing squads will visit area cemeteries.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com