Veterans and community organizations have planned several Memorial Day weekend tributes and special events around the area that are open to the public.
Beyond attending services, American Legion leaders also encourage residents to examine their flags and replace them if they’re tattered. Veterans’ organizations will accept old flags for proper disposal.
Saturday, May 27
Crown Hill Cemetery: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. annual Memorial Day Open House, 407 Short St., Centerville. Centerville Women’s Cemetery Association is organizing the gathering in the cemetery office and serving refreshments. Board members will answer questions concerning the cemetery.
Concert: 3-11 p.m., American Legion Post 315, 514 S. L St., Richmond. Featuring Funkyard Dogs, Caitlyn Davis Band and Sean Lamb Janet Miller Band. No cover charge. Open to the public. Wings and sides available for $12 per person.
Sunday, May 28
Sons of Union Veterans’ Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Goshen Cemetery, Middleboro Pike, Richmond.
Televised National Memorial Day Concert, 8 p.m., PBS stations. Richmond High School graduate Jack Everly again conducts the concert. This year’s performers include Joe Mantegna, Gary Sinise, Trace Adkins, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Slattery, Dule Hill, Yolanda Adams, Mary McCormack, Jo Dee Messina (who performed at Richmond’s Civic Hall in 2016), The War and Treaty, Chosen Jacobs, Phillip Phillips, Megan Hilty, National Symphony Orchestra, Military District of Washington, U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, U.S. Army Chorus, U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band.
Monday, May 29
Hagerstown-area services: American Legion William O. Frazier Post 333 (Hagerstown) will conduct nine services in northern Wayne and eastern Henry counties.
- 7:30 a.m., Chicago Corner Church, 8405 E. Indiana 38, New Castle
- 8 a.m., Mooreland Cemetery, U.S. 36 and Wilbur Wright Road
- 8:35 a.m., Brick Church Cemetery, North Brick Church, south of intersection with 5 Point Road and Turnpike Road
- 9 a.m., Jacksonburg Cemetery, 12251 South St., Cambridge City
- 9:35 a.m., Salem Church Cemetery, south end of Salem Church Road, just south of intersection with Indiana 38
- 10 a.m., Greens Fork Cemetery, North Mineral Springs Road, near intersection with South Washington Street
- 10:50 a.m., Sugar Grove Cemetery, 6404 Sugar Grove Road, Greens Fork
- 11:15 a.m., West River Friends Cemetery, 10636 Lacy Road, Economy
- 11:45 a.m., West Lawn Cemetery, 500 N. Maple St., Hagerstown
Service in Williamsburg: 9 a.m., Williamsburg Cemetery, U.S. 35 just west of town.
Services in Richmond:
- 9 a.m. at Soldiers Hill in Earlham Cemetery, 1101 National Road W. organized by Sons of Union Veterans
- Field of Honor service, 10 a.m., Earlham Cemetery, and 11 a.m., Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park, both organized by Wayne County veterans
- noon, 21-canon volley by Sons of Union Veterans, also in the veterans’ park. The park can be accessed by vehicle from the 100 block of East Main Street in Richmond or via the walking/biking trail through Whitewater Gorge.
Western Wayne-area services:
American Legion Post 169 (Cambridge City) will visit several cemeteries, starting with Dublin South Lawn at 9:30 a.m. Additional destinations include:
- Dublin East — 9:45 a.m.
- Capitol Hill in Cambridge City — 10 a.m.
- Pershing Lutheran — 10:15 a.m. and Pershing South at 10:30 a.m.
- Slaw Hill in Milton — 10:45 a.m.
- Milton — 11 a.m.
- Cambridge City Riverside — 11:30 a.m.
A dinner open to veterans will be served at noon at the post, 25 W. Church St.
Meal for area veterans, VFW Kirk-Little Post 1108, 213 S. Eighth St., Richmond. Ham and beans will be served immediately after the veterans’ park services in Richmond, while supplies last.
Willow Grove Cemetery service, 2 p.m., U.S. 27 S., Fountain City.
For more information about year-round programs to assist veterans, call 765-973-9207.
A version of this article appeared in the May 24 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.