Memorial Day events to honor veterans

Hamilton County locals are invited to attend Memorial Day events in various communities on Monday to honor veterans who died while serving in the American military.
The Aurora American Legion Post 42 and Aurora VFW Post 4993 will conduct services at five locations, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Mamre Cemetery and concluding at the Farmer’s Valley Cemetery.
The community is invited to watch the flags being raised at the Aurora Cemetery at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The flags will be retired on Monday at 5 p.m. following the conclusion of all Memorial Day services.
All services will begin with words offered by American Legion commander Ron Paider followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation will be offered, followed by the placing of a wreath by American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries.
Each ceremony will close out with a firing squad giving a 21-gun salute to fallen veterans and Byron Paschke playing taps.
The Mamre Church service will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Pastor Paul Hofrichter giving the invocation and benediction and a member of the church giving a roll call of the deceased.
At 9 a.m. services will begin at the Kronborg Cemetery with invocation and benediction given by Pastor Richardo Riqueza. The roll call of the deceased will be presented by a member of the church.
Memorial Day services continue at Aurora Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. with the advancement of the colors presented by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Troop 28 and Scoutmasters Kyle Gooder and Penny Evans. The community band will start playing patriotic songs at 10:15 a.m. and perform the National Anthem.
After the wreath laying, Hamilton County Veterans Service Officer Mike Irons will talk as the special speaker. Pastor Karl Larson will give the invocation and benediction. Alan Anderson, Ron Elge and Mike Powell will give the roll call of the deceased.
The next service will be at the Stockham Cemetery at 11:45 a.m. where the invocation and benediction will be presented by Pastor Rick Bartek. Alan Anderson will give a roll call of the deceased.
The Farmer’s Valley Cemetery will begin its service at 12:15 p.m. with Pastor Bartek giving the invocation and benediction with roll call of deceased by Anderson.
The day will conclude at 5 p.m. when the flags are retired at the Aurora Cemetery. The community is invited to join.

Hampton
Hampton will begin its Memorial Day Service at 10:30 a.m. with American Legion District 6 commander Julie Schnitzler bringing this year’s message. Fire Chief Dane Schafer will be the emcee.
Lofton Ferguson will give the Gettysburg Address. There will also be a Quilt of Valor ceremony conducted by JeanAnne Schmidt. The person to give the invocation and prayer has yet to be announced.
The Ladies of the Auxiliary will serve lunch at the Fire Barn for a freewill donation. All veterans and active military personnel will eat free and the public is encouraged to join.

Farmer’s Valley
The Memorial Day service will start at 12:15 p.m., when a 21-gun salute will be presented by the Aurora American Legion, honoring the many veterans buried at the cemetery.
At the conclusion of the service, tables will be set up for food brought in for the potluck. Everyone is invited to join in the celebration by bringing some home cooking to share, along with their own table service, blankets, chairs or card tables. Electricity will be available for hot food. Following the potluck, there will be time to share stories and visit with members of the Farmers’ Valley Cemetery Association.
Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy this celebration. Drive two miles west from the town of Henderson and turn south on “Y” Road. After crossing the Big Blue River, turn west on Farmers’ Valley Road, which will lead to the cemetery. If traveling from Sutton, head north out of town on the blacktop “X” Road. After following the curve to the east, turn north on “Y” Road, which will lead to Farmers’ Valley Road.
The public is invited to join in this celebration to remember those who served their country well and to experience and enjoy the beauty of Farmers’ Valley Cemetery.

Polk
Lemuel R. Wilcox, Unit No. 160 of the American Legion, will be hosting a Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. at the Polk Community Hall. The guest speaker will be Nick Wollenburg, York County veteran’s service officer. Coffee and refreshments will be served after the program.