Services, parades planned around county to mark Memorial Day

Friday, May 25, 2007 11:29 PM CDT

RACINE COUNTY -

These services and parades have been planned in Racine County in observance of Memorial Day 2007:

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American Legion Bixby-Hansen Post 171, Union Grove:

Today - Meet at 9 a.m. at American Legion Hall, 1027 New St., Union Grove, to place flags at eight local cemeteries and two members will assist other veteran groups and Boy and Girl Scouts in placing flags at Southern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. Sunday - Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery, 8:30 a.m.; Scotch Settlement Cemetery, 8:45 a.m.; Dover Catholic Cemetery, 9 a.m.; Yorkville Cemetery, 9:20 a.m.; Pilgrim and Trinity Lutheran cemeteries, 9:40 a.m.; West Lawn Memorial Cemetery, 10 a.m.; Sylvania Cemetery, 10:20 a.m.; and Southern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery with the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Program and salute at 11 a.m. Monday - Meet at hall at 8:30 a.m.; program at 9:15 a.m. at American Legion Memorial Park on Main Street with guest speakers Union Grove Village President Mike Aimone and Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds. The auxiliary will present poppy poster and essay contest awards; the Union High School Band; area scout troops and a procession to the Union Grove Cemetery for a memorial service. Worn, torn and unserviceable United States flags can be dropped off at the American Legion Hall for proper disposal.

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Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs:

Sunday - A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring St., Union Grove. This year's theme is "Land of the Free Because of the Brave." Veterans and the public are invited to attend. Seating will be available, but families are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs. Parking is available on the cemetery grounds. For more information, call (800) 947-8387 or visit the Web at

http://www.dva.state.wi.us/events

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Racine parade:

Monday - Organized by the Racine Area Veterans Council, the Memorial Day Parade steps off promptly at 10 a.m. at West Boulevard and Washington Avenue and will end with a ceremony at Graceland Cemetery's Veterans Memorial, shortly after 11 a.m. This year's keynote speaker is U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Other speakers are Mayor Gary Becker, Racine County Chief of Staff Geoffrey Grieveldinger and master of ceremonies Ron Turner.

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Disabled American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Chapter 9 and the Gold Star Mothers:

Monday - The Memorial Day service starts with a prayer and song at 9 a.m. in the Mount Cemetery chapel, 1147 West Blvd., Racine. The service continues outside at the chapel's pond and wall of veterans' names. This is where a service officer places a wreath in the pond and the Racine Firing Squad presents colors, gives gun salute and plays taps.

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Catholic Cemetery Association of Racine Inc.:

Monday - Memorial Day Mass, 10 a.m., St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., Racine.

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American Legion Essman-Schroeder Post 20, Waterford:

Monday - The post will hold services at these cemeteries: Honor Guard assemble at P. Lukas home, 7:30 a.m.; 8 a.m., North Cape Cemetery; 8:20 a.m., Norway Cemetery; 8:40 a.m., St. Peter's Cemetery; 8:55 a.m., assemble for parade at Waterford High School; 9:15 a.m., Waterford Parade east on Main Street; 9:30 a.m., Waterford bridge ceremony; 9:45 a.m., St. Thomas Cemetery; 10:15 a.m., Oakwood Cemetery; 10:30 a.m., Caldwell Cemetery; 11 a.m., Honey Creek bridge ceremony; 11:10 a.m., Honey Creek Cemetery; 11:30 a.m., Rochester Cemetery; 11:50 a.m., English Settlement Cemetery; 12:10-12:50 p.m., lunch at English Settlement; 1 p.m., Rosewood Cemetery; 1:30 p.m., Rochester Parade; 2 p.m., Rochester Park program.

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American Legion Harvey Funk Post 494, Caledonia:

Monday - The post will conduct Memorial Day services with a rifle salute at these cemeteries: 9 a.m., McPherson Cemetery, 7100 block of Highway K in Raymond; 9:15 a.m., Oak Grove Cemetery, Highway G and 76th Street in Raymond; 9:30 a.m., St. Louis Cemetery, 13207 Highway G in Caledonia; 10 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, 7 Mile and Nicholson roads in Caledonia; 10:30 a.m., Caledonia Memorial Cemetery, 6800 block of Nicholson Road; 11 a.m., Caledonia-Mount Pleasant Memorial Park, highways K and H in Franksville; 11:30 a.m., Harvey Funk Post 494, 4700 block of Highway 41 (East Frontage Road). A noon lunch will be served by the Post 494 Ladies Auxiliary.

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Burlington parade:

Monday - Burlington parade and ceremony honoring deceased veterans who served our country in time of war. Parade begins at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Wainwright Avenue and Kane Street and ends at the Veterans Memorial Building. A pre-parade begins at 8:30 a.m. The program in the park begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about one hour. There will be guest speakers and patriotic music by the Burlington High School Band. The Color Guard and Rifle Squad will fire a salute at the following: Waters edge in Echo Park, Veterans Memorial and Bed of Crosses, Mount Carmel Care Facility, Pinebrook Assisted Living Center and the three Burlington cemeteries.

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Rochester observance & parade:

Monday - As one of the oldest observances of Memorial Day in the nation, this year will be Rochester's 141st year. American Legion Essman-Schroeder Post 20 from Waterford will visit the Rochester Cemetery that morning. Bouquets of flowers will once again be placed on the graves of veterans at the Rochester Cemetery. Anyone wishing donate flowers may drop them off at the park by noon Sunday or by contacting Kathy Wiesend at (262) 534-6075. Cash donations for the bouquets are also being accepted by calling Wiesend.

The annual parade begins at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Rochester Fire Station on Highway FF. Those wishing to be in the parade are to be at the fire station at 1 p.m. The parade will proceed from the fire station following Highway FF to State Street. From State Street it will proceed north to Main Street, then east to Front Street and head south to end at Highway FF.

Highway W (Front Street) will be closed between Highway FF and Spring Street. Highway D will be closed from the east side of the bridge on Main Street to State Street, and Highway FF will be closed from the fire station to Highway W. Handicapped parking will be available at the Community State Bank on the corner of highways D and W.

A program will follow the parade at Pioneer Park, southeast corner of highways D and W. Master of ceremonies will be State Rep. Scott Gunderson with the Fox River Middle School band providing music. Post 20 will honor veterans with roll call and taps. The lowering of a wreath into the Fox River will be provided by Tom and Sue Johnson.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade should contact Mary Jasinski at (262) 534-6750.

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