Local Memorial Day services planned

Area Memorial Day services have been announced for Monday.

Fairbury’s annual service is set for 10:45 a.m. with Gerry Brandt giving the address, the two auxiliaries will place wreaths and the Prairie Central band will play the National Anthem. The combined color guard of the VFW and American Legion will have the 21-gun salute. PC buglers will have Taps and a lunch will be served at the VFW in Fairbury after the event which everyone is welcome to attend.

In Chenoa, services start at 11:30 a.m. with hometown soldier Michael Plummer serving as guest speaker. The Prairie Central band will be there playing a few songs as well. Volunteers can show up at 8 a.m. Saturday to help put flags out as around 225 flags will be put up, then the Boy Scouts will help put tombstone flags out also. Chenoa Cemetery will be lit up from dusk until midnight Saturday and Sunday nights. Volunteers can help take down flags at 2 p.m. Monday.

The Pontiac Memorial Day Service will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Southside Cemetery, featuring the Laying of the Wreath ceremony, invocation with Ginger Harris of Grace Christian Church and Flanders Field from American Legion Commander Steve Worthington. Mick Peterson will be the featured speaker. He was a teacher and coach who arrived here in 1989 with his wife Carole and three children. The combined bands of Pontiac Municipal and Pontiac Township High School will play the “Salute to the Armed Forces.”

Chatsworth American Legion Memorial Day Services are planned for 8:30 at Germanville Cemetery, 9 at the Catholic Cemetery and 9:45 at Chatsworth/Charlotte Cemetery. In the event of rain, services will be held at the Legion Hall at 10. Brunch follows in the Legion Hall.

Gridley has a full schedule for Memorial Day with the ambulance breakfast 8-10:30 at the Community Building, American Legion service at 8:30 from McNaught Cemetery and 9 from Waldo Cemetery. Bike decorating happens 9:30-10:30 at the fire station, open to everyone and the parade starts at 10:30 from Third Street Park North on Center to Seventh. Veterans, active duty or family members are invited to marsh or ride in the parade. The American Legion memorial service starts at 11 at Gridley Cemetery.