Memorial Day allows us the opportunity to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms they fought for.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” – President Harry S. Truman

Bay City

Bay City’s Harding-Hall-Darrington American Legion Post #357 is planning a full morning of Memorial Day observances Monday, May 25. They will start by visiting the following cemeteries:

8 a.m. – Esdaile Cemetery

8:30 a.m. – Hartland Methodist

9 a.m. – Tabor Lutheran

9:30 a.m. – Bay City Lakeshore

10 a.m. – Bay City

10:45 a.m. – Trenton

11:30 a.m. – Diamond Bluff

Noon – Svea Lutheran

The Bay City and Trenton ceremonies will feature a guest speaker, Ellsworth Community School District bands and Cub Scouts Pack #3. Legion and Auxiliary members are invited to attend a potluck meal at 5 p.m. Bring a beverage.

Ellsworth

Kinne-Engelhart American Legion Post 204 will host its annual Memorial Day program at 10:15 a.m. May 25 in the Ellsworth High School Cafetorium (323 W. Hillcrest St.), preceded by firing squad visits to area cemeteries and the annual parade at 9:45 a.m. (from the Legion Hall, down Main Street to Chestnut Street, over to Ellsworth High School, weather permitting).

Squad #1

• 7:45 a.m. – Maple Grove
• 8 a.m. – United Church of Christ
• 8:25 a.m. – Zion Covenant
• 8:45 a.m. – Old Clayfield
• 9 a.m. – Clayfield

Squad #2

• 7:45 a.m. – St. Francis
• 9 a.m. – Thurston Hall
• 8:15 a.m. – Beldenville
• 8:35 a.m. – Beldenville Civil War Grave
• 8:50 a.m. – El Paso
• 9:05 a.m. – Lost Creek

Squad #3

• 7:45 a.m. – Hartland Presbyterian
• 8 a.m. – Bethlehem Lutheran
• 8:35 a.m. – Bethel Covenant (Moeville)
• 8:55 a.m. – Trimbelle

After the main program, the public is invited to a free lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Legion Hall (137 Oak St., Ellsworth).

Elmwood

The Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 and Auxiliary Unit 207 will hold its Memorial Day program on May 25, 2026, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Elmwood. This year’s speaker is Vice-Commander Patrick Hines. All Legion and Auxiliary members who plan on going to all the Cemetery Programs, please be at the Elmwood Auditorium by 7:45 a.m. Departure time will be no later than 8 a.m. 

The Honors Ceremony schedule for the outlying cemeteries is as follows:

• John’s Lutheran: 8:15 a.m.
• Oak Ridge: 8:30 a.m.
• Spring Lake: 8:50 a.m.
• Sacred Heart: 9:30 a.m.
• Old Rock Elm: 9:45 a.m.
• Poplar Hill: 10 a.m.
• Welcome Home Senior Living: 10:30 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Park Program: 11 a.m.

Please bring your own chair to Veterans Memorial Park as they will not be provided. After the Veterans Memorial Park Program Kern’s Hometown Café will be providing a “free will” lunch starting at 11 a.m. with proceeds going to the Elmwood Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207.   

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 207 will be distributing poppies on Friday, May 22, which is recognized as National Poppy Day. Unit members will be on hand at Cenex, Sailers, and Dollar General in Elmwood. They will also be distributing poppy posters with a large poppy to businesses during May. These posters are designed by the Elmwood High School Art and Design Careers Class. These posters will be a limited edition so let us know how to get one to your business. All donations for poppies and posters will be used to support veterans and veteran programs.

Brenda Bechel, President ALA Unit 207  bbechel3@gmail.com 715-271-8887

Maiden Rock

Maiden Rock’s William E. Geer American Legion Post 158 will perform observances at the following cemeteries/locations Monday, May 25. All are welcome to attend.

7:25 a.m. – Little Plum

7:40 a.m. – Frankfort

7:55 a.m. – Porcupine

8:25 a.m. – Moravian

8:35 a.m. – Old Sabylund

8:50 a.m. – New Stockholm

9:05 a.m. – Old Stockholm

9:30 a.m. – Oakwood Pepin

10 a.m. – New Sabylund

10:15 a.m. – Swedish Methodist

10:45 a.m. – Maiden Rock

11 a.m. – Lake Pepin Lakeshore, Maiden Rock

Plum City

Frank Gilles American Legion Post 365 and Auxiliary Unit 365 are gearing up for their 2026 Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 25, 2026. 

As part of the 2026 Memorial Day Service, Post No. 365 will visit each of the five local cemeteries:

9:30 a.m. – Free Home

9:50 a.m. – Lund

10:10 a.m. – Ono

10:30 a.m. – Town of Union/Village of Plum City and St. John’s

The names of all known veterans will be read as part of the ceremonial service, followed by the Chaplain’s final prayer, a rifle salute, and taps.

Post No. 365 will continue to include their scheduled stops at the Plum City High School (11 a.m.) to honor those veterans who lost their lives while serving in the military and the Plum City Care Center/The Seasons (11:15 a.m.) to honor the veterans who are homebound.

American and Auxiliary flags will be placed on each of the veterans’ and deceased auxiliary members’ graves prior to Memorial Day. Poppies will also be distributed at each cemetery during the above times.

Plum City School Band will be performing a patriotic music concert at Spring Pond Park prior to the public ceremony presented by Post No. 365.

The public ceremony will include the laying of a wreath honoring all veterans who are deceased, along with a second wreath honoring those who have been lost at sea during the wars. A final salute and taps will conclude the Memorial Day Service.

Immediately following the Memorial Day Service, Frank Gilles American Legion Auxiliary Unit 365 will be holding a Memorial Day Program at the Spring Pond Park (weather permitting). The program will include the recognition of participants who are winners of the Poppy Poster Contest and the Americanism Essay Contest. The winning essays will be read at this time. A light free will donation picnic lunch will be served by Auxiliary Unit 365 during the memorial service and program.

Please bring your lawn chairs as seating areas are limited.

Prescott

The Prescott American Legion Post 61 has released its Memorial Day firing schedule:

• 9 a.m. – American Legion Hall in Prescott
• 9:15 a.m. – Prescott Nursing Home
• 9:30 a.m. – St. Mary’s Cemetery in Big River
• 9:45 a.m. – St. John’s Cemetery
• 10 a.m. – Mercord Mill Park in Prescott
• 10:15 a.m. – No Name Saloon flag change
• 10:45 a.m. – Meet at Veterans Triangle
• 11 a.m. – Ceremony at Veterans Triangle

River Falls

River Falls American Legion Post 121 will be providing Memorial Day 2026 observances at area cemeteries and at the Veterans Memorial in River Falls. All activities will take place on Monday, May 25. The schedule is as follows:

Presentation of Colors and Taps at local cemeteries:

• Kinnickinnic: 7 a.m.
• Mann Valley: 7:30 a.m.
• Glass Valley: 8 a.m.
• Cherma: 8:20 a.m.
• Bridget’s: 8:45 a.m.

A full program including the Post Honor Guard, music and tributes to deceased veterans will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial, located at Greenwood Cemetery on East Division St. in River Falls, starting at 10 a.m. Philip Cudd of River Falls, who died in France while serving during World War II will be honored through a special re-enactment presentation.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited to lunch at the American Legion, 701 N. Main St., compliments of the Post 121 Auxiliary.

Spring Valley

At 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day, May 25, the Spring Valley American Legion Post and Auxiliary will hold a Memorial Day remembrance service. We will be joined by the Boy Scouts and the Spring Valley High School Band at the small park just west of Spring Valley Dentistry at Park Drive and Highway 29.

Following the ceremony the post will host a social hour.

American Legion Post 227 of Spring Valley received its permanent charter on April 11, 1928. At that time, it was named the Ralph Rickerd post. They were later issued a supplemental charter Oct. 4, 1947 when they renamed the post to "Rickerd-Danielson" to honor Dorance Danielson. Both Rickerd's and Danielson's names appear on the war memorial.

You can find more information at our website www.svpost227.org