Memorial Day observances scheduled for May 26

Memorial Day ceremonies will be held at cemeteries throughout western Marathon County this upcoming Monday, May 26, and several local villages will also host parades to honor America’s fallen soldiers.

Athens

Members of the Athens VFW will meet at the village square at 8 a.m. on May 26 to lower the flag to half-staff. The veterans will then render honors at the following cemeteries: Wuertzberg Cemetery, 8:30 a.m.; Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, 8:50 a.m.; Milan Cemetery, 9:10 a.m.; Town Hall Road Cemetery, 9:30 a.m.

A program at the Community Hall will start at 10 a.m. The guest speaker will be Rep. Karen Hurd, who represents District 69 in the Wisconsin States Assembly. Following the ceremony, veterans will proceed to the Athens Cemetery to render honors.

A potluck dinner will follow. Bring a dish to pass and your own plate and silverware. Refreshments will be provided.

Edgar

Edgar American Legion Post 393 and Edgar VFW Post 10187 will pay tribute to the fallen at the following cemeteries on May 26: Holy Family Church Poniatowski, 8:30 a.m.; St. John Lutheran (High Steeple) Town of Wien, 9 a.m.; Hope Lutheran, Hwy 97, 9:20 a.m.; St. John Lutheran, Hwy N, 9:40 a.m.; Joint Township Town of Wien, 9:50 a.m.; Village of Fenwood, 10:05 a.m.; Edgar Veterans Memorial, Oak Street Park, 11a.m.

A parade in Edgar will start at Oak Street Park and march to the Scotch Creek Bridge for a service for those who served on the water. From there, the parade will proceed to the Edgar cemetery.

This year’s guest speaker will be Edgar native CTIC (ret) Carol Twerberg, U.S. Navy. She will share the story of Shannon M. Kent, senior chief petty officer in U.S. Navy who was KIA in Syria in 2019.

The Edgar Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the Edgar High School Band will be in the parade.

Marathon City

The Alois Dreikosen Post 469 of the American Legion invites the public to a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26, at Marathon Cemeteries. Shorter ceremonies will be held at the cemeteries below. The Marathon Post will place flags on the graves of 340 veterans in the 14 cemeteries in the area assigned to Post 469.

The program at Marathon Cemeteries will be held in conjunction with Marathon Scouts, Marathon Fire Department, the Marathon High School Band and the American Legion Honor Detail. Upon completion of the program, all Legion and Auxiliary members and their families are invited to Memories Ballroom for a picnic. Guests can arrive any time after the program, with the meal to be served at 1 p.m.

Post Commander Brandon Skrypchack will be the master of ceremonies and will also be the guest speaker. Selected readings will be delivered. There will not be a parade down Main Street.

The Honor Detail will leave the municipal center at 7:30 a.m. and visit the following cemeteries: Heil Cemetery, Emmet, 7:45 a.m.; Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cassel, 8 a.m.; St. Anthony Retreat Center, Marathon City, 8:20 a.m.; Spring Valley Cemetery, Stettin, 8:35 a.m.; Stettin Christian Cemetery, Stettin, 8:50 a.m.; Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Stettin, 9 a.m.; Redetzke Cemetery, Stettin, 9:10 a.m.; Emmanuel Cemetery, Rib Falls, 9:20 a.m.; Methodist Cemetery, Rib Falls, 9:30 a.m.; Hillside Cemetery, Rib Falls, 9:40 a.m.; St. John’s Cemetery, Rib Falls, 9:55 a.m.; Rib Falls River bridge on STH S, Rib Falls, memorial for those lost at sea, 10:10 a.m.

Stratford

Stratford VFW Post 6352 will line up for its annual parade at 9:30 a.m. by Stratford High School on 3rd Avenue. The parade will start at 9:45 a.m. and go to Klemme Park, where services will begin at 10 a.m.

The main speaker will be Roy Kaiser, retired Air Force veteran. In case of inclement weather, services will held at Stratford High School Gym.

All veterans (retired, active, reserve and National Guard) are invited to march in the parade. Meet at the VFW clubhouse at 9:15 a.m. or by 9:30 a.m. on the street by the high school. A float will be provided for those unable to walk the parade route.