Charles City to honor fallen service members at Memorial Day program

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Charles City will honor those who have given their lives in military service with a Memorial Day Remembrance Program at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, on the grounds of the Charles City VFW.

The ceremony will begin with a welcome, followed by the raising of the colors by local Boy Scouts, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem performed by the Charles City High School Band, according to Phillip Knighten, a veteran Marine and member of the Charles City Council who has organized the annual service for several years.

Local clergy member Patty Kellogg will offer the invocation, and Mayor Dean Andrews will deliver the city’s Memorial Day proclamation. The high school band will provide additional patriotic music throughout the event.

Captain Jonathan Thompson of the Iowa National Guard will give the Memorial Day address. The Charles City American Legion Auxiliary will place a memorial wreath, followed by a rifle salute and the playing of taps by student band members.

The program will conclude with closing remarks and then a benediction by Kellogg.

The VFW will serve lunch in the hall after the event, open to all for a freewill donation.

Memorial Day, a national holiday now observed on the last Monday in May, honors U.S. military personnel who died in service. Locally and nationwide, the day is marked with ceremonies, parades and tributes at veterans’ graves.