Memorial Day services honor and celebrate veterans in the Iowa City corridor

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Here are some of the celebrations happening this year throughout Iowa City and Johnson County.

Memorial Day programs in Iowa City

The Johnson County Military Affairs Association and the American Legion Post 17 and Auxiliary organize the annual Day events in Iowa City.

Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 27 with a ceremonial gathering at the Park Road Bridge to honor soldiers and sailors who perished at sea. A memorial program will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance of Oakland Cemetery, located at 1000 Brown Street. The morning will conclude with an 11 a.m. ceremony at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2600 Muscatine Avenue.

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Memorial Day decorations are allowed at Oakland Cemetery starting Thursday, May 23, and should be removed by June 2. Wreaths and decorations of all kinds may be left at gravesites. City staff will pick up and dispose of any leftover decorations on June 3.

North Liberty Avenue of Flags

The North Liberty Optimist Club organizes its annual Avenue of Flags to pay tribute to veterans and support local youth programs. North Liberty residents can purchase pre-planted American flags for $40, which will be displayed on a 10-foot pole in front of their homes during national holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July. The poles are installed by volunteers 3-8 feet from the street. The flags can also be raised or taken down as necessary.

Half of Avenue of the Flag proceeds will go to the youth groups that volunteer to help plant the flags, and the remaining proceeds will support a variety of North Liberty youth programs.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Solon Veterans Memorial

The Solon American Legion Post #460 invites the Johnson County community to its Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 27, at the Solon Veteran’s Memorial. The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at 122 N Chabal St. The Legion Post will provide parking and shuttle service from Lakeview Elementary School (111 N Chabal St.). Seating will be limited, and organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs. A reception will follow the program at the Legion Hall.

Memorial Day Service in Swisher

The Swisher American Legion Hall will host a Memorial Day service at its auxiliary at 68 3rd St. SE. The service starts at 9 a.m.. Light refreshments swill be served following the program.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached atJRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_