(Posted May 18, 2016)
The following Memorial Day ceremonies and services will take place in and around Madison County.
London
London’s United Veterans Organization will host Memorial Day services May 29-30. The organization includes Amvets Chapter 19, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 93, American Legion Post 105 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 746.
On May 29, services are set for 1 p.m. at Paint Township Cemetery, 2:15 p.m. at Deercreek-Lafayette Cemetery, and 3 p.m. at Summerford Cemetery.
On May 30, veterans and members of the London High School band will assemble at 10 a.m. at the entrance of Oak Hill Cemetery. The ceremony will start at 10:15 at the statue.
A second program will take place at 11 a.m. at the veterans monument outside the Madison County Courthouse. Tim Stone-cipher will be the guest speaker. Afterward, the group will assemble at Kirkwood Cemetery for the final memorial tribute.
After all of the ceremonies are complete, veterans, their families and guests are invited to an open house at Amvets Hall at Madison Lake. Refreshments will be served.
Mount Sterling
Members of Mount Sterling American Legion Post 417 will place flags on veterans’ graves at Pleasant Cemetery on Cemetery Road at 6 p.m. May 26. The public is invited to help.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. May 30 at the cemetery. A second short service will immediately follow at Mount Sterling First United Methodist Church. Joe Proudfoot, pastor at Mount Sterling First Church of the Nazarene, will speak.
Plain City
Plain City’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Darby Post 3268 and American Legion Post 248 and the Ladies Auxiliaries will host a Memorial Day parade May 30.
The parade will form at the old Plain City Elementary on West Main Street from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Those who wish to participate in the parade are asked to decorate accordingly and be ready to leave the school promptly at 9 a.m. The route runs east on Main Street then south on Chillicothe Street, stopping at old Darby Township Cemetery to salute veterans there. The parade will then proceed to the bridge crossing over Big Darby Creek, where a ceremonial bouquet will be tossed in the water in memory of those who perished at sea.
The route will end at Forest Grove Cemetery where a program will take place.
For additional information, contact Bernie Vance at (614) 570-2962.
Range Township
Range Township will hold Memorial Day services at 4 p.m. May 29 at Range Township Cemetery. A guest speaker is planned. The Madison-Plains High School band will perform. Readings and vocal performances also are planned.
South Solon
The South Solon Community Organization will hold a Memorial Day parade to honor fallen soldiers for their commitment to the country and their legacy of patriotism and sacrifice.
The parade is set for 2 p.m. May 30 and will proceed from Community Park to South Solon Cemetery. Ralph Lininger will serve as grand marshal. The Springfield Detachment of the Marine Corps League will lead the parade, followed by the Madison-Plains High School marching band.
A short ceremony will follow the parade at the entrance to the cemetery. Rev. Jon Mercer will speak. The Marines will close the ceremony with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
West Jefferson
West Jefferson American Legion Post 201 will host a breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. May 30 for veterans, Madison County fire and law enforcement personnel, and West Jefferson village workers. The post is located at 9701 W. Broad St.
At 10:30 a.m., a service will take place at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 9350 High Free Pike, West Jefferson. Then at noon, a ceremony is scheduled at Pleasant Hill Cemetery where Gen. Maria Kelly will serve as the guest speaker.
For more information, call the Legion post at (614) 879-9126.
