JUDA - Mt. Vernon Cemetery's Memorial Day program will begin this year at 10 a.m. Monday, with the Juda Fire and Rescue Department raising the flag on the central flag pole, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Juda Boy Scouts.
The Juda Middle School band and chorus will provide musical selections during the service. Rev. Vicki Brantmeyer, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church, will give the main address and the roll of honor naming deceased Juda area veterans from all wars.
In 1868, Decoration Day was established as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Juda has followed the tradition since 1918, when four lots near the center of the grounds were set aside as a soldiers' memorial plot. In 1990, an avenue of flags was erected, flying memorial flags from deceased area veterans.
As a special feature this year, a tribute to the memory of Irvin Matzke, a World War II veteran, will be given by Brian Matzke. A wreath will be laid on the Memorial to Unknown Veterans by Jeff and Ben Kelly, followed by a salute from the Veterans Honor Guard. Taps will be sounded to close the ceremony, with the benediction by Rev. Brantmeyer.
In case of inclement weather, the observance will be at Juda School.
The Juda Middle School band and chorus will provide musical selections during the service. Rev. Vicki Brantmeyer, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church, will give the main address and the roll of honor naming deceased Juda area veterans from all wars.
In 1868, Decoration Day was established as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Juda has followed the tradition since 1918, when four lots near the center of the grounds were set aside as a soldiers' memorial plot. In 1990, an avenue of flags was erected, flying memorial flags from deceased area veterans.
As a special feature this year, a tribute to the memory of Irvin Matzke, a World War II veteran, will be given by Brian Matzke. A wreath will be laid on the Memorial to Unknown Veterans by Jeff and Ben Kelly, followed by a salute from the Veterans Honor Guard. Taps will be sounded to close the ceremony, with the benediction by Rev. Brantmeyer.
In case of inclement weather, the observance will be at Juda School.
