Detroit Lakes area Memorial Day events

After a pandemic-related hiatus for the past couple of years, the Detroit Lakes Memorial Day Parade is making a comeback this year, albeit the number of entries will likely be a bit lower than in the past.

At press time, parade entries from the local VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans were set to take part, along with a Humvee Army Jeep and about 20 classic cars from the Midnight Cruisers and 412 Lakes Car Club. Local Boy Scouts, Patriot Dogs, police, sheriff’s office, and fire and rescue workers will also participate, among others.

The Lakes Region Color Guard will lead the parade, which will start at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (at the corner of Washington Avenue and Highway 10). The parade will continue down Washington Avenue to the Pavilion, where a Memorial Day event will take place, with words from Mayor Matt Brenk and keynote speaker Major Shaun Carlson of the U.S. Air Force.

Local veterans and other volunteers will be settling up the annual Avenue of Flags display at Oak Grove Cemetery on Friday, May 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cemetery is located just north of Detroit Lakes, off Highway 59. Organizers are asking that traffic at the cemetery be restricted during setup time.

The flags, which will be distributed throughout the cemetery, will remain on display until the morning of Tuesday, May 31.

There is no cost to view the flags, and all are welcome.

The Avenue of Flags has been a tradition in Detroit Lakes since 1990, and has become beloved by the community as a way of honoring fallen soldiers over the Memorial Day weekend. The flags used are casket flags that families have donated for the display.

On Sunday, May 29 from 2-3 p.m. at David-Donehower Funeral and Cremation Service in Detroit Lakes (at 609 U.S. Highway 10 East), there will be a dove release in recognition of Memorial Day. As advertisements for the event have stated, “It is said that if you whisper to a dove, it will carry your message to the heavens.” Reservations are required by May 26, by calling the funeral home at 218-847-4147.

On Memorial Day, May 30, members of the Ogema VFW Post 9880 and Auxiliary, along with members of the White Earth Veterans Association, will be visiting area cemeteries on the following schedule:

7:30 a.m., Assemble at Ogema VFW Hall

8:15 a.m., St. Columba’s Episcopal Cemetery, White Earth

8:30 a.m., Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, White Earth

8:45 a.m., White Earth Veterans Cemetery

9 a.m., Assembly of God Cemetery, White Earth

9:15 a.m, Calvary Catholic Cemetery, White Earth

9:40 a.m., Aura Finnish Cemetery, Goat Ranch Road

10:15 a.m., Callaway Cemetery, Callaway

10:45 a.m., Ogema City Cemetery, Ogema

10:50 a.m., Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, Ogema

11:30 a.m., Waubun City Cemetery, Waubun

11:45 a.m., St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Waubun

12:15 a.m., Lake Grove Cemetery

Egelund Church in Rochert will host a catered dinner on Memorial Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free will donations will be used for upkeep of the church and cemetery. All are welcome.

The church is located on Highway 26, northeast of Detroit Lakes (from Detroit Lakes, go 10 miles north on Richwood Road and then turn right on County Road 26 to travel another 4.5 miles east).