Mount Vernon’s Howard Hahn American Legion post will be selling poppies at local businesses Saturday, May 25, beginning at 9 a.m.
The post will also be seeking help on setting up the Avenue of Flags Saturday morning beginning at 8 a.m. at the Mount Vernon Cemetery.
In keeping with the American Legion’s 2024 push to help stop veteran suicide, the community is invited to join with the veterans in doing the march from City Hall to the cemetery to show their support or in remembrance of a loved one who has been lost to suicide. The parade begins at 9 a.m. Memorial Day, with Memorial Day ceremony kicking off at 9:30 a.m. at the Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Post commander Mike Woods stated “The American Legion is leading a nationwide effort — Be the One— to eliminate the stigma related to mental health treatment, and in turn, lower the number of veterans who die by suicide every day.
“The number of veterans who die by suicide every day is estimated at between 17 and 22,” Woods said. “The American Legion has elevated Be the One to be its primary mission, empowering veterans, servicemembers, their family members and civilians to act appropriately when a veteran may be at risk. This event intends to bring more awareness to the problem while providing resources to those who may be able to help save the life of a veteran.”
The Mount Vernon Band is committed to another location over the Memorial Day weekend, so band music will be pre-recorded. Dennis Modracek will play taps.
Members of Mount Vernon High School Choir will sing the National Anthem at the ceremony Monday morning.
Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel will provide the invocation and benediction, Mount Vernon mayor Tom Wieseler will provide remarks, Luke Stephens will recite the Gettysburg Address and Amelia Kibbie will present a new poem.
If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Mount Vernon Middle School auditorium. A decision on the location will be made by 8:15 a.m. Memorial Day.
The Avenue of Flags will be retired Monday, May 27 at 3 p.m.
Lisbon Memorial Day
Lisbon’s Memorial Day parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. from the Lisbon American Legion building and march to the Lisbon Cemetery.
Memorial Day ceremony begins at the cemetery at roughly 10 a.m.
Guest speaker for this years Memorial Day festivities is Lisbon superintendent Autumn Pino. The winners of the “What the Flag Means to Me” essay contest from Lisbon Schools will also read their essays as part of the festivities.
Rain location for the ceremony will be Lisbon Schools, and a decision will be made Memorial Day morning if that is moved.
Boy Scouts pancake breakfast
The Mount Vernon Boy Scouts Troop 40 will hold their pancake breakfast at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. All you can eat pancakes are offered at the breakfast for $8 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and children 4-12. Children under three eat for free.
Mount Vernon pool
The Mount Vernon pool is planning for a tentative May 25 opening date. Hours for Memorial Day weekend include 12:30 to 5 p.m. for open swim Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. for open hours and family swim Sunday, and 12:30 to 5 p.m. for open swim Memorial Day. Lap swim Memorial Day is offered from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• No squirt guns are allowed in the facility for safety reasons
• No life jackets worn in rivers or lakes are allowed in the facility. We do offer lifejackets to check out for free at the front desk if needed.
• No goggles with nose pieces are allowed, we do allow nose plugs as they are easily able to be removed in the event of an emergency.
• No glass allowed in the facility.
• All swimmers wanting to use the diving boards or swim in the deep water must pass the deep end test administered by one of our managers or lifeguards.
Lisbon splash pad
The Lisbon Splash pad will open for the season Tuesday, May 28 (weather pending).
Closures
Mount Vernon and Lisbon City Halls will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Lisbon will not have a city council meeting the week of May 27. Trash pick up in Lisbon will be Friday, May 31.
Mount Vernon Bank, Hills Bank, Lisbon Public Library, Cole Public Library, Bridge Community Bank will all be closed for the federal holiday.
Most Linn County governmental offices will also be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
The following services will continue to operate:
• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• Mental Health Access Center
• The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.gov.
All Iowa Department of Transportation business locations will be closed Monday, May 27, in honor of Memorial Day. Iowa DOT driver’s license service centers All Iowa DOT driver’s license service centers will be closed Monday, May 27. The service centers will resume operations Tuesday, May 28, at 8 a.m.
Memorial Day activities planned for community
Nathan Countryman, Editor
May 23, 2024
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.