Memorial Day Weekend: What’s Happening, What’s Not Happening
The following is a list of Memorial Day weekend events happening in Kosciusko County, as well as a list of events that will not occur this year due to COVID-19 restrictions:
Etna Green
A Memorial Day service will be held at the East Cemetery in Etna Green at noon Sunday, May 24, weather permitting. Retired Master Sergeant David Clark will read the Veteran’s roll call. All attending should come prepared to observe physical distancing protocols. Veterans are asked to assemble at the cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
Leesburg
Leesburg’s Memorial Day parade will take place this year with a couple of modifications. The parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, with lineup at 10:15 a.m.
“We are going to have a ceremony here and at the cemetery as always,” said Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton. “There will be no walking units this year. The parade will consist of vehicles only.”
“There will not be food, candy, things like that, which should cut down on people gathering at any one place,” said Christina Archer, Leesburg Town Council vice-president.
Mentone
Mentone will not have a parade and the memorial service at the cemetery is cancelled.
Milford
Milford will not have a parade. Taps will be played and a 21-gun salute will take place at Milford Cemetery. While the event is not open to the public, people may attend while social distancing.
North Webster
There will not be a parade this year, as the guidelines will not allow it. At 7 a.m. Monday, May 25, the honor guard will be offered with a breakfast before they leave the Legion for cemeteries. Honor guard will do a cemetery tour to honor the deceased. All ceremonies are open to all Legion members and the public is welcome. The ceremony at the North Webster Cemetery will be recorded and will hopefully be broadcast via Facebook Live on the Legion’s Facebook page.
The following remembrance ceremonies will be on Monday, May 25:
- 9 a.m. Thorn Cemetery
- 9:30 a.m. Salem Cemetery
- 10 a.m. Mock Cemetery
- 10:30 a.m. Legion Post 253
- 11 a.m. North Webster Cemetery
- noon flag raising at the Legion Post 253
Hot dogs and chips will be served at the Legion for a donation. The canteen bar area will be closed but the tiki bar will be open if the weather is decent. All dining areas of the Legion will be open, but seating will be limited to 50 percent. The Legion will remain open until 2 p.m. or until hot dogs are gone.
Pierceton
Starting at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, American Legion Post No. 258 will walk from the fire station to Brower Park, where a presentation will be conducted. There will be no dinner at the Legion.
Silver Lake
A ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, at Lakeview Cemetery. The event is sponsored by the Silver Lake Lions Club. Practice social distancing during the event.
Syracuse
A service will be at Syracuse Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 25. A prayer, Taps and a 21-gun salute will take place. The public is welcome but must maintain social distancing. There will be no parade this year.
Warsaw
The American Legion Honor Guard is firing a 21-gun salute at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw at all three circles. The event will happen at 10 a.m. There will be no speaker or presentation this year.