Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25, 2020, with a host of local observations scheduled — many to be held virtually, due to the COVID-19 emergency.
“It is customary to spend Memorial Day remembering and honoring our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Ali Nelson, director of the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services. “This year, the events might look a little different, but the spirit is the same — to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.”
A listing of local events follows:
What: Virtual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Who: Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
When: Monday May 25, 9 a.m. (also to include National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.)
Where: Virtual ceremony, available at www.WisVetsMemorialDay2020.com.
Note: Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar will lead the Moment of Remembrance live on Facebook and a video of Taps is available to play on www.WisVetsMemorialDay2020.com.
What: Virtual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony.
Who: Navy Club Ship 40, Kenosha
When: Monday, May 25, 9 a.m.
Where: Pre-recorded video ceremony to show on cable Channel 14
Note: For more details, please contact Dick Stader at 262-654-9202.
What: Virtual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Who: American Legion Post 21, Kenosha
When: Throughout the weekend
Where: Pre-recorded video ceremony to show on Channel 14 on Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. and Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Note: The ceremony will be live on Facebook and will be broadcast on Lou Rugani’s Memorial Day Radio Show on WLIP AM 1050 at 10:45am. For more information, please contact Tom Visintainer at 262-620-5646.
What: Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Who: Sunset Ridge Memorial Park and American Legion Post 552, Somers
When: Monday, May 25, 11 a.m.
Where: Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, 4300 Green Bay Road, Kenosha
Note: The program includes the reading of names of all veterans who have been interred at the cemetery and honoring all veterans everywhere. The public is invited but must remain in their vehicle for the entire program. Please enter the cemetery from the Green Bay Road entrance; once you’re in the cemetery, you can tune your radio to AM 1600 to listen to the program. The event will also be live streamed on the cemetery Facebook page. For more details, please contact Molly Lindell at 262-652-7488.
What: Memorial Day Ceremony – to include POW/MIA Service
Who: Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans
When: Monday, May 25, noon
Where: Library Park, 711 59th Place, Kenosha
Note: This will be a brief ceremony with the practice of social distancing guidelines. For more details, please contact Rich Bowker at 262-694-1129.
What: Virtual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Who: VFW Post 1865, Kenosha
When: Monday, May 25, 1 p.m.
Where: Pre-recorded video ceremony to air on Channel 14
Note: For more details, please contact Steve Chalmers at 262-620-0544.
About Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday in May, honoring the men and women who died while in U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.