MARSHALL — Memorial Day is approaching, and communities around southwest Minnesota are making plans to remember the legacy of fallen military service members.

Memorial Day observances include both remembrances at cemeteries, and programs featuring speakers and music.

In the Marshall area, Memorial Day observances will start early Monday morning with Honor Guard members traveling to cemeteries in Lynd, Green Valley and Marshall. Services will be at the Lynd Cemetery at 8 a.m., at Green Valley Cemetery at 8:45 a.m., the Marshall Cemetery at 9:15 a.m. and Calvary Cemetery in Marshall at 9:45 a.m.

Following the cemetery services, a Memorial Day program will be held at Liberty Park at 10:30 a.m. Jason Swenson will be the keynote speaker.

Another area event that will honor service members will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood Falls. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the cemetery on Sunday. Live music will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the official ceremony starting at 2. The program will include military honor guards and a guest speaker.

Due to the high number of people expected to attend, the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs, and to carpool if possible.

Communities around the area are holding their own Memorial Day ceremonies:

Balaton

A free breakfast for veterans and their families will be available for veterans and their families at Balaton One Stop from about 8-9:30 a.m. Monday.

A Memorial Day program will be held by the Stone-Groneweg American Legion Post 237 at 10 a.m. at the truShrimp (formerly Balaton High School) gymnasium. Balaton veteran Matthew Prairie will be the keynote speaker. Following the program, there will be a ceremony at Lakeside Cemetery north of Balaton, including a roll call of the dead and a gun salute.

Canby

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Central Park. Following the program, a free beef commercial lunch for veterans and their spouses will be available at Heroes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cottonwood

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Cottonwood Community Center. The program will include music by Grace LaVoy, and Rev. Shawn Polman will be the keynote speaker. Following the program, a salute to veterans will be held at Veterans Park in Cottonwood.

Currie

Memorial Day ceremonies will be held in several places in Currie on Monday morning. Honor Guard members will stop at Willow Lake Church at 9 a.m., at End-O-Line at 9:30 a.m., at the Pioneer Cemetery at 9:45 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary at 10 a.m., and at the bridge at 10:30 a.m,

A Memorial Day program will follow at 11 a.m. at the new Currie fire hall. Following the program, burgers, hot dogs and desserts will be available at the fire hall, courtesy of the Currie Sons of the American Legion and the Currie Auxiliary.

Echo

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Echo Community Center.

Garvin

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethel Cemetery. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs. In case of rain, the program will be held at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church.

Following the program, lunch will be served at the Auxiliary Hall. A freewill donation is being accepted.

Ghent

A Mass will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Eloi Catholic Church. Memorial Day Services will be held at the cemetery at 10 a.m.

Granite Falls

A Memorial Day service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Park. Lunch will follow at the American Legion of Granite Falls.

Green Valley

Services with the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard will be held at 8:45 a.m. at the Green Valley Cemetery.

Ivanhoe

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Lincoln Elementary School. Ron Gidden will be the keynote speaker. After the indoor service, outdoor services with a salute to departed veterans will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial site at the Ivanhoe Cemetery, Wilno Cemetery and Arco Cemetery.

Lucan

A Memorial Day program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Lucan Community Center. The program will be followed by a roll call of deceased veterans, gun salute, and refreshments.

Lynd

Services with the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard will be held at 8 a.m. Monday at the Lynd Cemetery.

Milroy

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Milroy Public School. John Parsons will be the guest speaker.

Minneota

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the American Legion in Minneota. Minneota-Taunton VFW Post 5334 Commander Shane Rieder will give the address. The program will continue at Veterans Park, where Ed Lozinski will read the names of veterans who have been added to the pavers in the park.

The Vietnam Memorial and History Center in Minneota will also be open on Monday. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Redwood Falls

A Memorial Day program will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the National Guard Armory in Redwood Falls. Chad Bonde, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery administrator, will be the keynote speaker. Food will also be available at the Redwood Falls American Legion from 4:30-8 p.m. A freewill donation is being accepted.

Russell

A Memorial Day roll call will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Russell Cemetery. The public is welcome to come and pay respects.

St. Leo

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church. A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Leo Catholic Church, with veterans’ names being read after Mass.

Fellowship, coffee and rolls will be at the St. Leo Community Center following services.

Taunton

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Taunton Town Hall. Dylan Evjen will be the keynote speaker. Memorial Day services at the cemetery will follow the program. A potluck meal will follow services.

Tracy

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Caboose. Khyle Radke will be the keynote speaker. Veterans James Keul and David Hicks will also be honored for their years of continuous membership in the American Legion.

Tyler

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the American Legion Hall in Tyler. Refreshments will be served after the program.

Wabasso

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Wabasso Community center. Jon Wendt will be the keynote speaker. A potluck meal will be served at 11:30 a.m.

Walnut Grove

A Memorial Day program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Westbrook-Walnut Grove Elementary. Chuck Swanson will be the keynote speaker.

Wood Lake

A Memorial Day program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Wood Lake Community Center.

Kris Holien will be the keynote speaker. A potluck meal will follow the program.