MARSHALL — This weekend, Minnesota residents will be gathering to remember U.S. military members who died while serving their country.

Memorial Day programs and events will be held in communities around the area, including in Marshall and at nearby cemeteries.

Members of the Marshall American Legion post said Memorial Day observances are planned Monday morning at cemeteries in Lynd, Green Valley and Marshall. After cemetery services, a program will be held at the Liberty Park band shell at 11 a.m.

The keynote speaker for this year’s program is Victor Gades. In addition to Gades’ remarks, the program will also honor military veterans who have died in the past year.

Memorial Day observances at Marshall area cemeteries will start at 8 a.m. Monday, at the Lynd Cemetery, followed by the Green Valley Cemetery at 8:45 a.m., the Marshall Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., and Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall at 10 a.m.

There will be programs in many area communities over Memorial Day weekend. The schedule will include events in the following cities:

Balaton

A program will be held 9 a.m. Monday at the truShrimp gymnasium in Balaton. Rev. Dr. Steven J. Voris, of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, will be the keynote speaker. Voris is a former Navy chaplain who served multiple tours overseas, as well as serving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam.

Memorial Day observances will continue at Lakeside Cemetery at around 10 a.m. Following the observances, Mary Ellen Mattson and the Balaton Area Historical Society will hold a cemetery walk telling the stories of Balaton veterans.

A free breakfast for veterans and their families will be held from 7-8:45 a.m. at Balaton One Stop.

Canby

A program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Central Park in Canby. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Canby High School gymnasium.

Cottonwood

A program will be held at 9:30 a.m.Monday at the Cottonwood Community Center. Combat veteran and motivational speaker Patrick Nelson will be the keynote speaker. Following the program, a ceremony will be held at Veterans Park in Cottonwood.

Currie

A program will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Currie Fire Hall. The keynote speaker will be Kenneth Bassett. A meal will follow the program, courtesy of the Currie Sons of the American Legion, and the Currie Auxiliary is supplying desserts.

The Honor Guard will also hold ceremonies prior to the program, starting with Willow Lake Church around 9 a.m. The Honor Guard will be at End-O-Line around 9:30 a.m., Pioneer Cemetery around 9:45, I.H.M. around 10 a.m., and the bridge around 10:30 a.m.

Echo

A program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Echo Community Center. Observances will continue at the cemetery after the program. Following cemetery observances, there will be a potluck at the Community Center.

Garvin

A program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethel Cemetery. Bring your own lawn chairs. Following the program, a lunch will be served by the Garvin American Legion Auxiliary at the Auxiliary Hall. A free-will donation is being accepted.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church.

Ghent

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

Granite Falls

A ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Veterans Plaza, next to the Yellow Medicine County courthouse. A meal will be served at the Granite Falls American Legion following the ceremony. A free will donation is being accepted.

The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum will be open on Monday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hendricks

A program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hendricks Public School.

Ivanhoe

A program will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial site, located across Highway 19 from the Ivanhoe swimming pool. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Lincoln Elementary School gymnasium.

Lake Benton

A program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Lake Benton Opera House.

Milroy

A program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Milroy Public School. Observances will continue at the Milroy Park Memorial after the program.

Minneota

A program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Minneota American Legion. Robert Vidoloff will be the keynote speaker. Observances will continue at Veterans Park after the program.

The Vietnam Memorial and History Center in Minneota will be open on Memorial day, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Redwood Falls

A program will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery on Sunday. The 34th Infantry Division North Star Brass Quintet will perform at 1:30 p.m., and the program will start at 2 p.m. Due to limited parking, people attending are encouraged to carpool.

A program will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Redwood Falls Armory. Rev. Tony Hesse will be the keynote speaker.

A meal will also be served at the Redwood Falls Legion from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. A free-will donation is being accepted.

Slayton

A program will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Murray County Central school gymnasium. Refreshments will be served before the program.

Observances will also be held at area cemeteries, starting with Hadley (Highland Home) Cemetery at 8 a.m. Observances will be held at Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 8:45 a.m., St. Ann’s Cemetery at 9:15 a.m., and at Slayton North Cemetery at 9:45 a.m.. Observances at the Murray County Veterans Memorial will be at 10 a.m.

Taunton

A program will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Town Hall. Robert Vidoloff will be the keynote speaker. Observances at the cemetery will follow the program. After cemetery services, a potluck will be held at the Town Hall.

Tracy

A program will be held at 9:30 a.m. at The Caboose. The keynote speaker will be Marine Reid Kimball.

Three Tracy veterans will be honored for a combined 160 years of continuous Tracy American Legion membership. Veterans who have passed away in the last year will also be acknowledged.

Wabasso

A program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Wabasso Community Center. A potluck will follow the program. People are asked to bring a hot dish or salad.

Walnut Grove

A program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Westbrook Walnut Grove Elementary School. Pat Kavanaugh will be the keynote speaker.

Westbrook

A program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Westbrook Walnut Grove High School gymnasium. Denny Johnson will be the keynote speaker. A brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Westbrook Cemetery will follow the program.

Memorial Day observances will also be held at Rosehill Cemetery at 9 a.m., and at Mennonite Cemetery at 9:15 a.m.