Memorial Day events return to local communities

American Legion Posts in Arlington and Marysville will hold their annual Memorial Day ceremonies again this year.

The federal holiday will be on May 30 this year and recognizes those who have lost their lives while serving the U.S. military.

Arlington

American Legion Post 76 plans to hold their annual parade for Memorial Day down Olympic Avenue.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Community organizations plan to walk with veterans as part of the downtown parade.

Marysville

American Legion Post 178 will again host a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Marysville Cemetery at 8801 State Ave.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. Speakers will reflect on the importance of the day and the rifle salute will be given for the fallen.

A concert will be provided by a brass quintet at 2 p.m.

“They will be doing a bunch of patriotic songs,” said Beth Opel, who works for the Marysville Cemetery which helps host the event.

At 3 p.m. there will also be a presentation of TAPS, the bugle call known for being used at United States military funeral services.

“They will be playing TAPS all around the world at the same time,” said Opel.

The event is organized by the American Legion Post 178 who usually have an open house at their post in downtown Marysville, but they will not be able to hold that open house this year.

The cemetery is filled with flags for the event and for the entire weekend.

A new event will also be held on the Saturday before Memorial Day as well, with a Kiddies Parade at the cemetery.

The parade will be held May 28 at 11 a.m.

“We’ve been looking to expand our offerings for the weekend,” said Opel, “because we’re there all three days with the beautiful flags up.”

Participants will begin lining up at 10:30 a.m. and no pre-registration is required for the kiddies parade.

Entrance is free but they will be collecting food donations for the Marysville Community Food Bank. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the parade, but human-powered floats, bicycles and wagons are allowed. The parade will go through the cemetery.

“They will get to parade around our loop at the cemetery and they can go around the oval as many times as they want,” said Opel.

McGruff the Crime Dog is scheduled to participate in the parade, and Opel said that she is trying to bring in other mascots as well

Opel said that the cemetery staff may help organize more events in the future as well.

“We’re looking to possibly organize an antique car show for next year,” she said.

“We want to try to get more people coming out to the cemetery during the weekend,” she added.