Historically, the Ceres American Legion places American flags atop the graves of U.S. military service personnel buried in the Ceres Memorial Park in honor of Memorial Day.

Because volunteer numbers are dwindling and those remaining volunteer are advancing in age, the Legion will be trying something a different this year. Instead of placing flags on Memorial Day – which falls this year on Monday, May 31 – as flags will be planted on graves beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 29.

“Depending on the number of volunteers and the heat of the day we may finish raising the flags on Saturday,” said Steven M. Whitney, the adjutant/finance Officer and past commander of the American Legion Ceres Post #491. “If not, we will return on Sunday morning to continue.”

“For many years we have had local residents volunteer to assist us,” said Whitney. “With the change in the raising schedule we don’t wish to lose their assistance.”

Flags will be removed beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

The local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter will be hosting a 10 a.m. Memorial Day service at the cemetery. The event will include speakers, the posting of all the flags of the Armed Forces, a 21-gun salute, a reading of the Last Bugle Call, a demonstration of the folding of the American flag along with a reading of the 13 folds and the audience will be given an opportunity to present a Poppy in remembrance of a fallen Veteran.

The Post will be providing water and snacks from the audience.