Charles City Memorial Day program set for 10:30 a.m. at VFW grounds

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A community Memorial Day program to remember and honor those who have died in service to our country will be held beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Charles City VFW, 1505 N. Grand Ave.

The program will be outside on the VFW grounds, and persons attending are asked to bring a lawn chair. In case of rain the service will be held in the VFW Banquet Hall. Lunch will be served after the program.

The service will include raising of the colors by local Boy Scouts, honor squad presentation, Pledge of Allegiance, playing of the national anthem by the Charles City High School Band and an invocation by local clergy.

Mayor Dean Andrews will read a proclamation, followed by more music by the high school band. Guest speaker will be retired Command Sgt. Maj. Rachel Fails of the Iowa Army/Air National Guard.

The program will conclude with the placing of a memorial wreath, rifle salute, taps, closing comments and a benediction.

All are invited to attend the service and the lunch afterward.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.