The COVID-19 pandemic has led the area to observe Memorial Day in different ways Monday, May 25. The following information has been provided to the Northern Watch or other area newspapers.

Virtual Memorial Day program
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring a virtual Memorial Day program in partnership with Twin Cities PBS-TPT. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic prohibits the live events traditionally held at the three State Veterans Cemeteries located in Little Falls, Preston and Duluth. A livestream of the program will be available Monday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at www.tpt.org/always-remember-minnesota-tribute-veterans-weve-lost/about/. The Times has also been informed that the program will air on PBS via Sjoberg’s Cable.

A former Thief River Falls resident will be featured on the program. Roy Jorgenson, who passed away earlier this year, will be featured. He fought in Normandy during World War II.

Argyle
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no Memorial Day ceremony at the Argyle Auditorium this year. Instead, the Argyle Honor Squad will go to all cemeteries to honor all veterans with prayer, a gun salute and “Taps.” The public is invited to attend with social distancing.
The Argyle American Legion Auxiliary Luncheon has been cancelled.
The list of cemeteries and times the Honor Squad will be arriving are:
• 8:15 a.m. – Decoration of graves at Wanger Baptist Church Cemetery
• 8:30 a.m. – Decoration of graves at Alma Catholic Church Cemetery
• 9 a.m. – Decoration of graves at Alma Baptist Church Cemetery
• 9:15 a.m. – Decoration of graves at Alma Lutheran Church Cemetery
• 10:15 a.m. – Decoration of graves at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery
• 10:30 a.m. – Decoration of graves at Woodlawn Cemetery
• 11:15 a.m. – Decoration of graves at North Big Woods Cemetery

Hallock
There will be no traditional program in Hallock. The public is encouraged to honor the fallen by visiting the graves and memorials of the fallen.

Lake Bronson
There will be no traditional program in Lake Bronson. The public is encouraged to honor the fallen by visiting the graves and memorials of the fallen.

Lancaster
Lancaster American Legion Post 214 will hold a ceremony Monday, May 25 at noon at the Lancaster Cemetery. Social distancing and other protocol will apply.

McIntosh
The McIntosh Memorial Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 online on the McIntosh Friends of Veterans Facebook page and on YouTube. It will also be shown on Garden Valley Channel 30 at that time.

Veteran Ben Ramse will provide the invocation and read the names of deceased veterans. Polk County Veterans Service Officer Kurt Ellefson will be the speaker.

Middle River
There will be a condensed version of a Memorial Day program held Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at Riverside Memorial Park in Middle River. Fallen soldiers will be honored with the reading of their names and a 21-gun salute. The public is welcome to this program and is reminded to practice social distancing precautions.

The Auxiliary will serve a to-go street-side service meal following the program.

Newfolden
American Legion Post 427 of Newfolden will hold Memorial Day graveside services Monday, May 25. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden and at 11:15 a.m. at the Holt Cemetery.

Post 427 requests that the public remain in or near their vehicles and follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines during these services.

Oklee
There will be no Memorial Day program in Oklee.

Thief River Falls
An abbreviated, outdoor Memorial Day Service will be held Monday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no chairs for the public and no speakers. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the National Guard Armory.

Local officials want to show respect due to the military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and also abide by social distancing guidelines.

This year’s event will include an introduction by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 Commander Erik Beitel, the advance of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation by American Legion Post 117 Chaplain Ron Pilcher, a bell ceremony led by Beitel and American Legion Post 117 Commander Arlo Rude, the placement of memorial wreaths, a 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps” by Marty Semanko, a benediction by VFW Post 2793 Chaplain Tom Biller, and the retiring of the colors.