John Martin, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, participates in a flag raising ceremony at a Memorial Day ceremony at Summerville Cemetery on Monday, May 30, 2022. Burl Pugh, a U.S. Army veteran, is saluting.

LA GRANDE — La Grande and Summerville will take center stage this Memorial Day weekend in Union County.

Annual events commemorating Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, will be conducted at Summerville Cemetery at 8 a.m. and at La Grande’s Grandview Cemetery at 11 a.m.

The Summerville ceremony will feature the raising of the American flag by a pair of local veterans, John Martin and Burl Pugh, along with a musical tribute to veterans.

Those who will be present at the raising of the colors include members of the Imbler Rural Fire Department and the American Legion Riders — an organization whose members attend the funerals of veterans and first responders at the invitation of the deceased’s families.

Pastor Mark Watkins, of the Berean Baptist Church, Pendleton, will deliver an address.

The Summerville ceremony is typically attended by between 100 and 120 people, according to Martin, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and helps lead the Memorial Day event.

At La Grande’s Grandview Cemetery, veterans will be saluted with the Avenue of Flags. The day’s program includes an address by Archie Hook, pastor of the La Grande First Christian Church.

The flag will be raised by members of the Boy Scouts of America, according to John Craig, finance officer for American Legion Post 42, which puts on the Avenue of Flags. The Legion is still awaiting confirmation, but Craig said that most likely the La Grande High School’s a cappella choir will perform the National Anthem. Trumpeters from the high school band will perform Echo Taps.

American flags, along with flags from each branch of military service, will fly around the veteran’s circle for three days, Craig said.

The flags are being assembled at the American Legion Post 43, 301 Fir St., La Grande, on Friday, May 26. They are attached to posts before being brought to the cemetery, where they are supported by heavy rebar. The rebar was put in by the La Grande High School football team, according to Craig.

“We appreciate their help,” he said.

The flags will be put up early in the morning on May 27 and remain up until 3 p.m. on May 29. They will be illuminated at night with portable lights.

Wallowa County

Activities to remember those who gave their lives in America’s wars also will take place this weekend in Wallowa County.

Members of the Enterprise chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion plan to gather at the VFW Post May 26 to get ready to plant flags on the lawn of the Wallowa County Courthouse. On Monday, May 29, representatives of the VFW and the Legion will conduct memorial services at noon at the courthouse, 101 S. River St., Enterprise, to honor those who lost their lives in service to their country.

Kim Hutchison, a spokesman for the VFW, said the limited membership in the veterans’ groups limits the services they can conduct. He said he understands that may upset some people, but “we just don’t have the folks to do it anymore.”

Also, on Sunday, May 28, from 7-11 a.m., a Memorial Day breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice will be offered at the Wallowa Senior Center, 204 Second St. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

History

Originally called Decoration Day, the day started as a way to remember those who fell during the Civil War — on both sides — and evolved to be a day of remembrance for those lost in all America’s conflicts.

Enterprise has memorials to veterans from as far back as the Black Hawk War of 1832, the conflict where future President Abraham Lincoln received his only military training.

Until 1970, when Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May, the day was observed on May 30.