Veterans and the families of those who served will be joined by those looking to show their respect during a number of Memorial Day events planned in the area Monday, May 31. 

For those looking to attend in Lancaster, the tradition continues in Memorial Park Monday morning after they visit area cemeteries.

Veterans will return to Lancaster, where they will march to open the observance at 10:30 a.m. Lancaster High School band will perform the national anthem, as well as other pieces during the program. 

Jim Reynolds will open the observance as master of ceremonies, with Pastor Mark Dieter giving the opening prayer, as well as the benediction. 

Ken Klaas will address the crowd representing American Legion Post 109. Rodger Irish will represent the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 40, and Bill Schramm will speak on behalf of VFW Post 2344. 

Legion Auxiliary member Martha Bausch and DAV Auxiliary member Jane Reed will place flowers. That is followed by the presentation of flags by Legion representative Andy Robbins and VFW representative Rodger Irish, medleys by the high school band, and then a rendition of the Gettysburg Address by Ross Howard. 

Don Dressler will lead the salute to the dead, followed by Taps. 

After the observance, the different veteran and veteran auxiliary groups will be hosting a lunch at the Spring Shelter for any veterans and auxiliary members who wish to attend. There will be roast pork sandwiches and other food for those who attend.

That will wrap up a day that began visiting different area cemeteries. The visitations include: 7:30 a.m. St Paul Cemetery, Liberty Ridge; 7:45 a.m. Dyer Cemetery Dyer Road; 8 a.m. Mt. Zion Cemetery on CTH K; 8:15 a.m. Episcopal Cemetery on S. Jefferson Street; 8:40 a.m. Little Grant Cemetery on CTH A; 9 a.m. St. Clement Cemetery STH 35 & 81; 9:15 a.m. Old St Clement Pigeon Cemetery CTH N; 9:30 a.m. Hurricane Cemetery CTH N; 9:40 a.m. Aupperle Cemetery STH 81; 9:50 a.m. Orchard Manor Cemetery STH 35/61/81; 10 a.m. Hillside Cemetery E. Lincoln Ave.

Earlier, veterans and auxiliary members put out hundreds of flags at the gravesides of veterans and auxiliary members.

The Bloomington-Glen Haven American Legion Post will have a revised schedule this year, as they will not be having observances at the Glen Haven Levee this year. Nor will the annual parade through Bloomington take place.

Veterans will still be touring the area cemeteries for observances for those who have passed away.

Those visits will include: Blakes Prairie at 9 a.m., Lumpkin at 9:15, Scott at 9:30, and Goeckel at 9:45. Services will also be held at Charlotte, Ramsey, Dodge, and Providence cemeteries from 10:45-11:30 a.m. in 15-minute intervals in order.

The veterans will hold their final observance at Bloomington Cemetery at noon.

A picnic lunch will be served for all veterans and their families at Bloomington Community Park following the ceremonies. If there is inclement weather, the picnic will be held in the American Legion Hall. For more information on the event, call John Horkheimer at 994-2872. 

Memorial Day ceremonies in Cassville Monday will include tributes at the four areas cemeteries and a program at the veterans memorial in Riverside Park. Veterans will assemble at the Municipal Building at 8:45 a.m. and proceed to, in order, the Burton Cemetery, Advent Cemetery, Cassville Cemetery, St. Mary’s Settlement Cemetery, and then to the St. Charles Cemetery.

The program in the park, at the veterans memorial, is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

In Potosi, members of VFW Post 5276 and American Legion Post 473 will host Memorial Day services at the Potosi Firehouse, starting at 10 a.m. The Potosi Community Band will participate.