How You Can Remember....

Today is Memorial Day, and although it's a great day for picnics, parties, boating and more, please don't forget to take some time and remember what the day is all about! Here is a list of the events in our area today.

La Crosse: A parade begins at 9 a.m. at Fifth and King streets. A service is at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery and at noon at Riverside Park.

Onalaska: A parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion, Sand Lake Road, and travels to the Onalaska Veterans Memorial in Onalaska Cemetery for a ceremony.

Holmen: Parade starts at 9 a.m. at Holmen Middle School and proceeds south on Main Street to the ceremony at Halfway Creek Park.

Bangor: A ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at Bangor High School with VFW and American Legion members in attendance. The speaker will be Lt. Anthony Campbell. After the ceremony at the high school, there will be a brief memorial at Fairview Cemetery.

Ho-Chunk Nation: The Ho-Chunk Nation will hold its annual Memorial Day Pow-Wow Saturday-Monday at the Andrew Blackhawk Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds, Black River Falls. Grand entries will take place at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon Monday, when a flag raising will take place.

Tomah: The Tomah Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center will hold its annual observation at 1:30 p.m. Friday on the front steps of Building 400 on the Tomah VA campus. Col. Tim Lawson will be the keynote speaker and the Tomah High School Band will perform.

Coon Valley: A Memorial Day parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Coon Valley. A lunch served by the Legion Auxiliary is afterward.

Melrose: A legionnaires muster will be held at 8:15 a.m. at Melrose Legion Hall. A march to Melrose Cemetery is at 8:45 a.m. Programs will be held at North Bend Cemetery at 10:20 a.m., Cataract Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. and South Beaver Creek Cemetery at 11 a.m.

De Soto: De Soto VFW Post 8123 will conduct the following services: 9:30 a.m.; Walnut Mountain Retreat, 10 a.m.; West Prairie, 10:30 a.m.; Rising Sun, 11 a.m.; Freeman Lutheran, 11:30 a.m.; and Ferryville at noon. There will be a free cookout for veterans from 1 to 3 p.m. at the De Soto Community Center.

La Crescent, Minn.: A Memorial Day parade will start at 11:30 a.m. on Walnut Street. Marching units include the American Legion Color Guard, the La Crescent Fire Department, Gold Star mother, the Auxiliary Poppy Queen, the La Crescent High School Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, all marching to Veterans Park for an 11:45 a.m. program. A chickencue dinner afterward is at the Legion.

Hokah, Minn.: The Hokah American Legion Post 498 will lay a wreath in the Root River at 8:30 a.m. to honor those lost at sea. A parade begins at 9 a.m. at City Hall and proceeds to Veterans Park where an address will be given. The program continues with graveside services at Mount Hope and Mount Calvary cemeteries. A picnic will be served after the program.

Brownsville, Minn.: A memorial service will take place at Veterans Cemetery by the VFW Post and Auxiliary at 10 a.m. A program at the Brownsville Community Center is at 10:45 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a march to the river for a service at 11:45 a.m., and a noon potluck dinner at the community center.

Houston, Minn.: A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. in Houston City Park, sponsored by American Legion Post 423. In case of rain, the service will be at Houston High School. This year's event includes the dedication of a new veterans memorial.