MARSHALL — Residents throughout southwest Minnesota will come together this weekend to honor U.S. military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

In Marshall, the American Legion post will lead Monday morning observances at area cemeteries, starting at 8 a.m. at Lynd Cemetery. Services will follow at Green Valley Cemetery (8:45 a.m.), Marshall Cemetery (9:30 a.m.), and Calvary Catholic Cemetery (10 a.m.). The day’s main program will begin at 11 a.m. at the Liberty Park band shell, featuring keynote speaker Victor Gades and a special tribute to veterans who passed away over the past year.

Balaton will begin its Memorial Day with a free veterans’ breakfast from 7 to 8:45 a.m. at Balaton One Stop, followed by a 9 a.m. program at the truShrimp gymnasium. Rev. Dr. Steven J. Voris, a former Navy chaplain, will speak. Ceremonies will continue at Lakeside Cemetery around 10 a.m., with a historical walk led by Mary Ellen Mattson and the Balaton Area Historical Society.

Redwood Falls will be holding a ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the State Veterans Cemetery.  There will also be a program on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Armory features Rev. Tony Hesse. A meal will be served at the Legion from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Other area communities will also host programs throughout Monday:

  • Ghent: 9 a.m. Mass at St. Eloi Catholic Church, followed by 10 a.m. cemetery services.
  • Ivanhoe: 9 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial site (weather backup: Lincoln Elementary gym).
  • Taunton: 9 a.m. at Town Hall with speaker Robert Vidoloff. Cemetery services and a potluck follow.
  • Cottonwood: 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center with speaker Patrick Nelson, followed by a ceremony at Veterans Park.
  • Lake Benton: 9:30 a.m. at the Lake Benton Opera House.
  • Tracy: 9:30 a.m. at The Caboose with Marine Reid Kimball as speaker. Three long-serving veterans will be honored.
  • Walnut Grove: 9:30 a.m. at Westbrook Walnut Grove Elementary, featuring speaker Pat Kavanaugh.
  • Canby: 10 a.m. at Central Park (Canby High School gym if raining).
  • Milroy: 10 a.m. at Milroy Public School, with observances at Milroy Park Memorial.
  • Minneota: 10 a.m. at the American Legion, with speaker Robert Vidoloff and further observances at Veterans Park. The Vietnam Memorial and History Center will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Wabasso: 10 a.m. at the Community Center with a potluck to follow.
  • Echo: 10:30 a.m. at the Community Center, with cemetery observances and a potluck to follow.
  • Garvin: 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Cemetery; lunch at the Auxiliary Hall afterward (weather backup: Lake Sarah Lutheran Church).
  • Hendricks: 10:30 a.m. at Hendricks Public School.
  • Westbrook: 10:30 a.m. at Westbrook Walnut Grove High School gymnasium with speaker Denny Johnson. Ceremonies also at Rosehill Cemetery (9 a.m.) and Mennonite Cemetery (9:15 a.m.).
  • Currie: 11 a.m. at the Fire Hall with speaker Kenneth Bassett. A series of cemetery observances begin at 9 a.m. and a community meal follows.
  • Slayton: 11 a.m. at Murray County Central gym, with a morning cemetery rotation starting at 8 a.m.
  • Granite Falls: 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Plaza, with a meal at the American Legion. The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.