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   Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day. Many Lakeland area events are being held in conjunction with the holiday. The following is a list of some of the area’s Memorial Day services and activities.

Buddy poppy sale

   Early this week, VFW Post #772 will place markers and flags on the graves of deceased veterans and Auxiliary members at the Riverside and Salem Lutheran Cemeteries in Longville.

  The Post will be offering Buddy Poppies in return for a donation on Friday and Saturday, May 24-25,  at various business locations in Longville. The Buddy Poppy slogan is “to honor the dead by helping the living.” Donations received through the drive are used to fund programs at Veterans hospitals and homes throughout Minnesota, in addition to aiding active service members and families as needed.  

Backus

   Pator Blair Ecker, U.S. Navy, retired will deliver the Memorial Day address at Evergreen and Ponto Lake Cemeteries conducted by the Backus American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.    

      Backus services will begin at 10 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, and the Ponto Lake service will follow the conclusion of the Backus memorial at approximately 11 a.m., both on Monday, May 27. In event of bad weather, services will be moved to the Legion Hall in Backus and Ponto Lake Town Hall. A lunch will be served at approximately 1 p.m. at the Legion Club following the Ponto Lake service.

Hackensack

   The Hackensack American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion will conduct Memorial Day services again this year. 

   At 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24, the Legion will be placing crosses to honor veterans that have passed. The public is welcome to join during the service.

   The Auxiliary will start at the Finnelly Cemetery just off 43rd Avenue NE on Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 p.m. The Finnely Cemetery contains the graves of about 30 early settlers to the Hackensack area. The first burial was 1900 and the last was 1923 when the cemetery was closed. The cemetery fell into disrepair until it was reclaimed by the Auxiliary about 30 years ago. Some graves are unmarked and some are simply marked with a rock while others are marked with a simple concrete or limestone marker. 

   On Monday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m., the Hackensack American Legion Post 202, Auxiliary and the SAL will present a Memorial Day service. The service will start at 10:00 a.m. at the Cass County Killed in Action Memorial in City Park across the street from the Post Office in Hackensack. The service will include a parade to the Boy River where a wreath will be placed to honor Navy and Coast Guard veterans. 

   Beginning at 10:30 a.m., formal services will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery. The service will include a roll call of deceased veterans from all conflicts, including some from the Civil War.   

   In the event of rain, services will be held at the Hackensack American Legion. 

Longville

  Longville’s Memorial Day Program hosted by VFW Post #772 will begin at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, May 27, at the Longville Fire Hall. Rob Walton, owner of Damsite Supper Club in Pine River will be speaking during the program.

   In 2018, Walton started providing free meals for local veterans in his own home and at his own expense. This led to his purchase of the Damsite Supper Club in Pine River. He is still providing meals to all veterans every Wednesday at his restaurant. He is also the founder and chairman of the 501c-3 non-profit Minnesota Veterans Project (MVP). Their mission statement is “to serve those who have served by closing the gap between services available and services needed by today’s veterans and their families.” As part of this project, they are currently building a house for a homeless Vietnam veteran in the Pine River area.

Remer 

   Following the placement of markers and flags in the cemeteries in Longville, VFW Post #772 will also honor veterans at the Fairview Cemetery later in the day.

   During the annual Poppy Drive on the 24-25, the Post will be in Remer as well.

   Remer’s Memorial Day Program begins at 2 p.m., on Monday, May 27, at the Fairview Cemetery. VFW Post #772 will be providing military honors and honor guard.

Emily

   Pine Ridge Cemetery will be the setting again this year for the Memorial Day Service in Emily at 9 a.m. In the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at the Emily City Hall gymnasium.

   All past or present military people are encouraged to attend the service and stand or sit behind the cross so they also can be honored as the names of deceased military personnel are read.

   Please come in your uniform or any part of your uniform if possible. This invitation includes current service or guard military.

   Members of the Lions of Emily, Outing and Fifty Lakes, area churches, as well as the Mirin James Legion Post will be in attendance. 

   The public should bring chairs for comfort during the ceremony.

   Please contact Janis at (612) 245-3796 if you know of a name that should be added to the Memorial list.

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