Memorial Day services planned in Colfax

Carrying on the long tradition of honoring veterans on Memorial Day, the Colfax AMVETS Post 50 and American Legion Post 175 will once again hold services on the holiday. Starting at 10 a.m. at the Colfax Cemetery, the service will include a reading of deceased veterans, burial of the ashes of last years flag retirement and a walk to the river for the flag retirement ceremony.

Starting events is the Colfax-Mingo High School Band who will play patriotic music as the firing squad marches in. Names of deceased veterans will then read as a representative of the girl scouts places a wreath at the memorial of the unknown soldier.

Following the reading, ashes from last years flag retirement ceremony will be buried at the site of the unknown soldier. There will be a moment of silence to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, which will be followed by a brief message from a local minister.

“The band will then play the National Anthem and the firing squad will fire a salute which will be followed by Taps and Echo,” Randy Marchant, AMVETS and American Legion Adjutant, said.

The color guard and firing squad will then continue the ceremony at the river.

“All veterans are invited to follow the color guard as they proceed from the cemetery to the river,” Marchant said.

At the river, the ceremony will have a brief message from the pastor before the Navy Hymn is played, a floral tribute is given, there is a salute by the firing square and Taps and Echo are played again.

Immediately following the memorial service at the river, the AmVets and the American Legion will hold a flag retirement ceremony, which the public is invited to attend. It will take place int eh parking lot of the cement plant south of the river levee.

A free-will donation lunch will be offered at the 4H building in the fairgrounds following the event.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com