See how you can observe Memorial Day in Eastern Iowa

As the weather warms up, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer with a day of honor. With a variety of programs, services and activities this holiday weekend, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the first of the summer holidays. See some ways you can honor the sacrifices of those who have given their lives in service to the country:

CEDAR RAPIDS

Saturday — The annual Memorial Day Avenue of Flags will have 1,500 flags on display at Cedar Memorial, 4200 First Ave. NE, from Saturday morning through Monday in honor of veterans. All flags are donated by veterans’ families.

Saturday and Sunday — Historic mausoleum tours presented by Cedar Rapids historian Mark Stoffer Hunter will be available at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, 4200 First Ave. NE. Tours will be held at 2 or 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Free tickets may be reserved online at Eventbrite.com. Each tour will be limited to 20 attendees.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday — The Czech National Cemetery will hold an open house at its office, 2200 C St. SW, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can meet the cemetery’s staff and receive a tour of the columbarium. Refreshments available throughout each day.

9 a.m. Monday — A Memorial Day Mass will be held at St. John’s Cemetery, 1340 17th St. SE. In case of rain, Mass will be held in St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or listen to Mass from their car. Offertory collection will go toward cemetery maintenance.

9 a.m. Monday — The Veterans Memorial Building, including the Grant Wood Memorial Window and galleries, will be open until 2 p.m. at 50 Second Ave. Bridge. There, visitors can learn about the role veterans have played in shaping the community.

10 a.m. Monday — Memorial Day service presented by the Metro Veterans’ Council at All Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans Memorial Drive and Kurt Warner Boulevard. Program will include presentation of the colors, volley salute and guest speaker Lieutenant Commander John H. “Doc” Erceg (retired.)

11 a.m. Monday — Cedar Memorial will host a Memorial Day tribute with patriotic music, rifle volley and taps. Featured speaker Gene Peterson is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War and a leader of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Bring lawn chairs. In the event of rain, the program will be moved to the Chapel of Memories. The event will be livestreamed online at CedarMemorial.com.

CORALVILLE

11:15 a.m. Monday — The Coralville American Legion, with the Area Legion Color Guard, will observe Memorial Day at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1290 First Ave. The public is invited to the 30-minute ceremony honoring America’s fallen service members, including a reading of veterans’ names.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to visit the Veterans Memorial adjacent to the cemetery, now in its final phase of construction. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to 11 a.m. at the Coralville American Legion, 901 Second St.

ELY

11 a.m. Monday — American Legion Post 555 will host its 101st annual Memorial Day program at Rogers Grove Cemetery on Ivanhoe Road to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Bring lawn chairs. In case of rain, the event will be held at Ely Legion Hall, 1545 Main St.

IOWA CITY

11 a.m. Monday — American Legion and Sons of American Legion Post 17 will hold a Memorial Day service at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2600 Muscatine Ave. The flag will be raised to full staff at noon.

There will be no Memorial Day ceremonies at Oakland Cemetery, according to the city of Iowa City.

MARION

10 a.m. Monday — American Legion Post 298 will hold a Memorial Day ceremony with rifle volley and taps at Oak Shade Cemetery, 789 Second Ave.

11 a.m. Monday — American Legion Post 298 will hold a Memorial Day ceremony with rifle volley and taps, along with a featured speaker at Post 298, 625 31st St. A luncheon, free to the public, will follow.

SOLON

6:30 a.m. Sunday — The Solon Firefighters Breakfast will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Old Fire Station, 131 N. Iowa St. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children age 4 to 12. Raffle prizes available. All proceeds benefit Solon Firefighters Association.

9 a.m. Monday — American Legion Post 460 will honor America’s veterans with the first of two ceremonies at 202 Windflower Lane, alongside a featured speaker. Bring lawn chairs.

9 a.m. Monday — Memorial Day mass will be held in the cemetery at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 2136 St. Bridget’s Rd. NE, honoring veterans and deceased family. Bring lawn chairs.

6 p.m. Monday — American Legion Post 460 will honor America’s veterans with the second of two ceremonies at Sutliff Historical Bridge in Lisbon, alongside a featured speaker. Bring lawn chairs.

URBANA

11 a.m. Monday — The Urbana Lions Club and Legion will serve its traditional Memorial Day ham dinner at the Bosco Hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 402 Ash St. The dinner is open to the public, free.

WEST BRANCH

2 p.m. Monday — The Iowa Brass Band will play at The Village Green of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, 210 Parkside Drive. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy patriotic music, free.

NEED TO BEAT THE HEAT?

Splash pads will be opening around the Corridor as forecasts predict temperatures up to 90 degrees on Memorial Day.

Cedar Rapids splash pads will open Saturday at Cedar Valley Park, Cleveland Park, Daniels Park, Greene Square, Hayes Park, Hidder Park, Jacolyn Park, Noelridge Park, Redmond Park, Time Check Park and Twin Pines Park. The spray features are activated when a hand is run across the sensor on the fire hydrant or the button is pressed to activate the water. The water is turned on at 9 a.m. each day and turned off at 9 p.m.

Marion splash pads at Thomas Park and Gill Park will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Labor Day.

Iowa City splash pads are open daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Saturday through Labor Day at Wetherby Park, Fairmeadows Park and Tower Court Park.

Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com