Area veterans and citizens will gather early Monday morning at the V.F.W. and American Legion to raise the flags to begin a day honoring veterans.

Norm Hecimovich, a member of the veteran’s committee, said Memorial Day is an important day to honor all veterans, especially those who died serving their country.

“It’s so important that people pay a tribute to our freedoms,” Hecimovich said. “Without veterans who have served this country, we wouldn’t have the freedoms, which we take for granted as Americans.”

Along with the annual services at area cemeteries, Austin’s Memorial Day program will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial as a joint service and dedication for the recently installed pavers.

Small town legion posts will also host ceremonies Monday. The Grand Meadow American Legion will be one of the most well traveled groups . While many legions don’t visit some cemeteries or visit cemeteries every other year, the Grand Meadow American Legion will perform military rights at 13 cemeteries.

“Our particular post feels it’s important to go to each individual one and honor those who did serve before us,” said Leland Ottman, commander of the Grand Meadow Legion.

Schedule of Cemetery Services and Events:

Austin

6:50 a.m. Flag Raising at V.F.W. and American Legion

7 a.m. Breakfast for all Memorial Day Participants at the V.F.W. Post 1216

8 a.m. Raise Flag and Program at Veterans Memorial — Mower County Courthouse

8:30 a.m. Parade Line-up Fourth Avenue NE

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

9:30 a.m. Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery

10:05 a.m. Honor Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Service Persons buried at sea at the Horace Austin State Park Bridge with firing a salute and depositing of the wreath in the river.

11 a.m. Calvary Cemetery, American Legion; Grandview Cemetery, V. F. W.

11:30 a.m. Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery, V.F.W.; Lansing, American Legion

Noon Midway Cemetery/Oakland Cemetery, V.F.W.

Grand Meadow American Legion

8 a.m. Emanuel Lutheran and Pleasant Valley cemeteries

8:15 a.m. St. Johns Cemetery

8:50 a.m. Sumner Cemetery

9:10 a.m. Hamilton Cemetery

9:25 a.m. Frankford Cemetery

9:40 a.m. Bear Creek Cemetery

10:15 a.m. Service at Grand Meadow High School featuring a guest speaker and the Grand Meadow High School Choir

11:15 a.m. Grand Meadow Cemetery

11:30 a.m. St. Finbarrs Cemetery

11:45 a.m. Dexter Cemetery

12:05 p.m. Zion Lutheran Cemetery

12:30 p.m. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran

12:45 p.m. Hoflanda Cemetery

Lyle Legion

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 Grove Cemetery

Bohemian National Cemetery Association

11 a.m. Memorial Day Service at the Bohemian National Cemetery north of Myrtle. A dinner will follow in the brick hall.

Adams American Legion

Starting at 9 a.m.

Ceremonial Wreath dropping from Bridge south of Adams on County Road 7

Taopi Cemetery

Ending at St. Johns Cemetery around 11:30 a.m.

After Lunch: Flag Burning Ceremony