The annual Staples Memorial Day program will be held at the Veterans Monument at Evergreen Hill Cemetery Monday, May 31, starting at 9 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved to Centennial Auditorium.

Air Force Major Jack Wilson (Ret.) will be master of ceremonies for this year‘s program. Mike Picconatto, pastor at the Staples Alliance Church, will give the invocation and benediction. First Sergeant Larry Doucette will be the program’s keynote speaker.

Staples Motley High School students taking part in this year’s program will include Lonna Dumpprope singing the National Anthem and bugler Ryan Detloff playing Taps.

The VFW Color Guard will be a part of the program and any active duty servicemen or women in attendance are invited to join the Color Guard for the ceremony.

The program will include the reading of names of area veterans who have died since last Memorial Day. The traditional laying of wreaths in honor of veterans of all wars, prisoners of war and those missing in action will be conducted by members of the Robert W. Hand Post 1910 Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Ivan V. Sarff Post 70 and the VFW Auxiliary, as well as members of the local Boy Scout Troop 61, Cub Scout Pack 61 of Staples and Motley and Girl Scouts of Minnesota

and Wisconsin, Service Unit 22.

A lunch provided by members of the VFW Auxiliary will be available following the program at the Staples Lions building on Wisconsin Avenue S.E.

Members of the VFW and Legion will decorate veterans graves with flags starting at 5 p.m. Friday, May 28.