Memorial Day is an opportunity for Monroe County communities and surrounding areas to remember and honor those who died  while fighting for this country.

Here is a round-up of Memorial Day services planned in the area.

 Waterloo

American Legion Post 747 and VFW Post 6504 in Waterloo invite the community to help them honor the fallen on the Monroe County Courthouse grounds at 11 a.m., on Monday.

The Memorial Day Address will be given by featured speaker Don Clair, director of the D. Gary Young Foundation, which promotes healthy lifestyles by offering educational, economic and medical support to communities worldwide.

The Waterloo Barbershoppers and Waterloo Municipal Band will provide patriotic music throughout the program and the VFW Firing Squad will perform a Salute to the Dead.

Bring your own lawn chairs.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the VFW Hall, 406 Veterans Drive.

Columbia

American Legion Post 581 in Columbia will host a special Memorial Day program at 11 a.m., on Monday at the Legion Hall, 375 East Locust Street.

This year’s featured speakers are architect Bob Winters, and Frank “Skip” Berger, a U.S. Army veteran who has worked with the Veterans Administration, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, and other war veterans causes.

The Belleville Community Band will provide patriotic music, and refreshments will be served by the Post 581 Legion Auxiliary following the ceremony.

A traditional wreath-laying outside at the Doughboy Monument will also be held, weather permitting.

As always, the community is encouraged to attend.

Hecker

The annual Memorial Day Celebration at St. Augustine’s Cemetery in Hecker takes place Monday at 10 a.m. This year it will feature soloists Elizabeth Moll and Steve Davis, and the St. Augustine Choir, as well as a dove release and keynote speaker Don Clair, of the D. Gary Young Foundation.

Special recognition will be given to all local veterans, firemen, ambulance and EMT crews present.

The service will be capped off with an air show featuring many types of military aircraft.

There will also be a military medal and helmet display, plus vehicles such as a Vietnam-era Jeep and Army Half Track on display.

A complimentary shuttle service is offered by Gregson Trucking to and from the cemetery.

Bring your own lawn chairs.

In case of rain, the service will be held inside Hecker Community Center.

Valmeyer

The Valmeyer American Legion Post 901 and Auxiliary will hold a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m., on Monday outside the Legion Hall, 618 S. Meyer Ave.

The names of all the post’s deceased veterans will be read aloud and honored with a gun salute and the playing of Taps. Boy Scouts will raise the flag, and a wreath will be placed for all Gold Star Mothers.

Guest speaker will be Col. Tom Ormesher, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force.

Legionnaires and Auxiliary members will offer refreshments of finger foods, desserts, and beverages to all who attend.

Poppies will be available, with all donations going directly to help hospitalized veterans.

The service will be held indoors in case of rain.

Dupo

Jointly sponsored by the village’s VFW and American Legion posts, Dupo’s Memorial Day service takes place Monday at Memorial Square on Kroeger Avenue starting at 11 a.m.

Following the program, lunch will be served at the Dupo American Legion Hall, 200 South 5th St.

Call 286-3535 for information.