MARSHALL — While communities around southwest Minnesota are getting ready to observe Memorial Day, concerns over COVID-19 mean that the remembrances will look a little different this year. Organizers of Marshall’s Memorial Day activities said there won’t be a community program this year. However, members of the Marshall American Legion and VFW posts will be holding ceremonies at area cemeteries on Monday.

Marshall area ceremonies will start at 8 a.m., with services at Lynd Cemetery. Services will be held at 8:45 a.m. at Green Valley Cemetery, at the Marshall cemetery at 9:15 a.m., and at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall at 9:45 a.m.

Other area communities will also be changing some of their Memorial Day observances by either holding graveside ceremonies only, or having shorter observances and encouraging members of the public to follow social distancing.

Garvin

The Garvin American Legion and Auxiliary say they will still be having their annual Memorial Day program at the Bethel Cemetery in rural Garvin. The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Organizers say social distancing will be observed, and people attending are encouraged to park and stay in their vehicles.

The program will be canceled in case of rain because it won’t be possible to hold indoor ceremonies while still following social distance guidelines.

Cottonwood

The Cottonwood American Legion post will also be holding a short Memorial Day program on Monday morning. The program will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park on the corner of West Main Street and Barstad Road in Cottonwood. The program will include a prayer, gun salute and the sounding of taps. People who attend the program are asked to stay in their vehicles.

Minneota

The “Light A Light” program will begin at 8:30 p.m. Monday, at Veterans Park in Minneota. A member of the Minneota American Legion will place a wreath at the veterans memorial. The wreath laying will be followed by the reading of the names of veterans who have been added to the memorial over the past year, and lights at the park will be lit. Members of the public attending the ceremony are asked to observe social distancing.

Tracy

Memorial wreaths will be placed at 10 a.m. Monday, at the Veterans’ Memorial at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum in Tracy. Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony, but are asked to observe social distancing.

Currie

The Currie American Legion post said there will be no Memorial Day services in Currie this year due to COVID-19. However, there will be Honor Guard salutes held at different places around the community on Monday morning. Salutes will be held at 9 a.m. at Willow Lake Cemetery, at 9:30 at the End-O-Line memorial in Currie, at 9:45 at the Pioneer Cemetery, at 10 a.m. at the IHM Church cemetery, and at 10:30 a.m. at the bridge at the north end of Mill Street in Currie.

Ivanhoe

The Lincoln County VFW will be holding graveside services at Ivanhoe area cemeteries on Monday. The reading of the roll of the dead, honoring military service members and veterans who have died, will be divided up, with part of the roll read at each cemetery. Memorial Day services will be held at 9 a.m. at the Ivanhoe Cemetery, with Civil War and World War I rosters read. Services will continue at 9:30 a.m. in the Wilno Cemetery with the World War II roster, and at the Arco Cemetery at 10 a.m., with the Korean, Vietnam, and Peacetime rosters being read. People who attend the services are asked to follow social distancing guidelines for everyone’s safety.