Memorial Day ceremonies set for Monday, Sunday

Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day was originally set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting and decorating cemetery graves or holding family gatherings. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

Local honor guard members and other veterans groups treat Memorial Day — and their stops at various cemeteries — as a sacred duty.

Cloquet Combined Honor Guard Captain Rich Chassé said members appreciate seeing community members come out. “It means the community is actually honoring the veterans who have gone,” Chassé said.

Find the schedule of Memorial Day stops on Monday, May 27 for area veterans groups below:

Cloquet Combined Honor Guard

8:15 a.m. Highway 210, Sawyer

8:30 a.m. Sts. Mary and Joseph, Sawyer

8:45 a.m. Holy Family Mission

9:15 a.m. Maple Grove

9:30 a.m. New Calvary

9:50 a.m. Hill between old cemeteries, above Pinehurst Park

10:20 a.m. Apostolic Church, Esko

10:45 a.m. St. Matthews, North Cloquet Rd

11:05 a.m. Pine River, North Highway 33

11:30 a.m. Veterans Park program, Cloquet: Speaker is retired Army Col. James P. Nelson, Special Forces, with music by Carlton’s Aubrianna Schmidt and the Cloquet Community Band.

Cloquet services are a joint effort of the American Legion Post 262, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3979 and Disabled Veterans Chapter 18.

Carlton VFW Post 2962 Honor Guard and Auxiliary

7:45 a.m. Eagle Lake

8:11 a.m. Cromwell

8:50 a.m. Atkinson

9:30 a.m. Elim Lutheran

9:55 a.m. Oak Lake

10:25 a.m. Holyoke

11:05 a.m. Silverbrook

11:30 a.m. Carlton Hillside Cemetery

11:50 a.m. Flag raising at Carlton VFW Post 2962

Kettle River

The Memorial Day program starts at 9 a.m., Monday, May 27, at the Kettle River American Legion Building for a brief program and taps with a three-volley salute honoring veterans by the Moose Lake-Kettle River Honor Guard.

Moose Lake

All are welcome at a Memorial Day Program at the Moose Lake Community School auditorium starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 27. The program is presented in collaboration with the

Area Scouts, Autumn Voices, the Community Band and the American Legion Honor Guard.

Following the program at approximately 11:30 a.m., people are invited to Moose Lake Area Veterans Memorial Park, where the traditional service will be conducted by salute to our fallen veterans. John M. Tobin of Duluth is the guest speaker. There is plenty of parking on Arrowhead Lane, Seventh Street and Birch Ave.

Wright

The Floodwood VFW and Auxiliary will honor veterans at noon Monday, May 27, at the city park in Wright, followed by lunch at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Don Hutar and Marvin Aho will be specially honored this year.

State cemeteries

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will honor and remember service members at each of the four Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries on Sunday, May 26. Events will begin at 1:30 at the Duluth cemetery in Saginaw off U.S. Highway 53. Each program will include military honor guards, music and a guest speaker.