Monday morning there will be services starting as early as 8:30 a.m. at the Marshall Crippen Memorial, and a parade will begin at about 10:15 a.m., which goes to the Boulevard of Valor, and then final Memorial Day services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Memorial stage in Graceland Cemetery.

It’s a solemn day. It’s a day for remembrance, for reflection, for gratitude to those who chose to serve to protect our country.

But Memorial Day did not start until after the Civil War, and has changed a bit over the years.

Memorial Day, which is designated as the last Monday in May, was established on May 5, 1868 by a “Memorial Day Order,” issued by Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan. Originally called Decoration Day, the day is set aside to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. It was to be a day when the nation would remember its war dead by decorating their graves with flowers.

Submitted photo
The installation of the flags for the military holidays, always is an impressive sight.

The earliest mention of Decoration Day in Webster City was in the May 7, 1873 edition of the Hamilton Freeman. It was to be celebrated on May 30th, 1873 with little fanfare. In an 1870 reference, it was reported that the New York World and the Chicago Times were sensitive on the subject of Decoration Day. They cautioned that it should be regulated, not entirely suppressed, to keep from stirring up old animosities. Flowers were laid on graves somewhat unceremoniously.

The first national Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. But the first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York. All other Union States recognized Decoration Day by 1890. It continued as an informal patriotic holiday. After World War I, the event was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars.

Today the coordination of Memorial Day gravesite traditions remains the managing agency’s responsibility.

In Webster City, Memorial Day activities are organized by the American Legion Post 191 and its Auxiliary.

This year, the Memorial Day schedule is as follows:

7:30 a.m. — Legion members performing the rifle honor guard, will meet at the American Legion to organize and practice.

8 a.m. — Legion and Auxiliary members assemble at the American Legion. Transportation arrangements have been made for a school bus and driver. The bus will take everyone to the service held on the bridge and the service at the cemetery before returning them to the American Legion in time for the parade.

8:30 a.m. — The Auxiliary will conduct services at the Marshall Crippen Memorial on the North Des Moines Street bridge for those servicemen and women lost at sea.

9 a.m. — The American Legion will conduct services at Cass Center Cemetery (1895 190th Street, Webster City).

10 a.m. — The parade will start forming in the 700 block of 2nd St, north alley, behind the Elks Building.

10:20-10:30 a.m. (approximately) — The parade will start, proceeding from the north alley, then south on Des Moines Street until arriving at the Boulevard of Valor.

The parade will pause to allow time for a presentation of the roses at the markers conducted by the Boy Scouts.

Recognition of active duty military personnel with ties to our community performed by the Auxiliary.

Parade continues to the Memorial Stage at Graceland Cemetery.

11:00 am (approximate time) –Memorial Day services conducted by Commander Matt MacRunnel and members of the American Legion Post 191.

In the event of inclement weather, the services will be cancelled and announced through the American Legion Post 191 Facebook page, the Daily Freeman-Journal Facebook page and with the help of KQWC radio.

After Memorial Day, the flags must also come back down out of the cemetery. Volunteers are needed to collect and put away all the sections of the flag poles and store them carefully for the next holiday.

The schedule for flag removal is as follows:.

Tuesday, May 26 — Personal (family) flags should be removed. (These are flags that are owned and stored independent from the larger collection)

Wednesday, May 27 at 4:30 p.m. — Flags and pole tops will be removed and stored followed by the removal of the pole base with the ground plugs put in place again. Volunteers are needed from not only the American Legion members, but from students and other members from the community.

Volunteers should meet at the Avenue of Flags building on Ohio Street. Just pull in and go around back of the building.

If any questions contact Laurie Epps at 515- 297-2774.