Memorial Day events to be tribute to veterans

American flags will be raised above cemeteries across Hamilton County this weekend and local veterans organizations are welcoming community members to participate in annual Memorial Day programs to honor the men and women who have served their country.
Several programs across in the county are being organized by American Legion Lester S. Harter Post #42 of Aurora.
Flags will be raised at Aurora Cemetery on Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and volunteers are being invited to participate.
At 7:30 Monday morning the color guard will meet at the Hamilton County Senior Center in preparation for the day.
The first program will take place at Mamre Cemetery near Marquette at 8:30 a.m., with the Kronborg Cemetery’s Memorial Day program to follow at 9 a.m.
The program at the Aurora Cemetery will begin at 10:30 a.m. preceded by the Community Band playing patriotic songs at 10:15.
American Legion Commander David Owen will welcome everyone in attendance, followed by the advancement of colors by Boy Scouts of America Troop 28 and scoutmasters Chris Benger and Penny Evans. The invocation will be offered by Pastor Bob Gannon.
The special speaker for the event will be Aurora VFW Post #4993 Commander David McKimmey.
The Community Band will play “Salute to America’s Finest,” featuring service songs of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and Space Force. 
The roll call of the deceased will be given by Mike Powell, Ron Elge and Alan Anderson, followed by a 21-gun salute by the rifle squad.
Taps will be performed by Byron Paschke and the program will conclude with a benediction by Pastor Gannon.
Following Aurora’s program, a Memorial Day program will take place at the Stockham Cemetery at 11:45 a.m., followed by a program at the Farmer’s Valley Cemetery. The public is invited to participate in a potluck dinner following the ceremony at Farmer’s Valley. 
In Hampton, the Memorial Day program organized by the Hampton American Legion #141 will take place at Hampton Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.
After the advancement of colors and playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, an invocation will be read by Pastor Rod Goertzen.
General Logan’s orders will be read by Damaris Olsen, followed by the roll call of veterans by Mark Klute. Thirteen folds of the flag will be conducted by Dane Schafer.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Gettysburg Address will be read by Brayden Wolinski, and SSGT Allen J. Courser will be this year’s speaker for the program.
A closing prayer will be led by Pastor Goertzen followed by a salute to the dead and Taps played by Braydon Dose and Chad Klute.
Lunch will be served by the American Legion Auxiliary at Hampton Fire Hall following the program. All veterans and current military personnel will eat for free.
A Memorial Day program will take place in Phillips at 2 p.m. at the Memorial Hall. It is organized by the Phillips Cemetery Association Board. The program will feature a roll call of the deceased, a reading of the Gettysburg address and the playing of Taps.
At 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, the flags will be retired at Aurora Cemetery, with community members again invited to participate. However, times may change if the flags are wet due to the weather.
Veteran graves will receive America 250 markers placed by the Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee as part of the celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday this year.