Drive-by parade to replace traditional memorial

OCONTO FALLS — American Legion Post 302 plans a drive-by parade down Main Street in Oconto Falls on Monday as a coronavirus-safe alternative to the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at the city cemetery.

Spokesman Bob Maloney said cars are asked to assemble at East Side Beach starting around 10 a.m. At about 10:45, the group will proceed down North and South Main Street, turning at North Farm Road past the new veterans monument next to the Oconto Falls School District Office.

A group of about 10 veterans will be stationed at the monument, spaced in accordance with health guidelines, for the parade participants to wave and honk, Maloney said. Arrangements were worked out with city administration and health officials.

Most Memorial Day observances, which usually attract a crowd, have been suspended this year in recognition of federal and state guidelines that caution against large gathering, Oconto County Veterans Services Officer Ron Christensen said.

Christensen assembled information from county veterans groups:

Abrams Legion Post #523 will only be doing flag placement at four cemeteries: Stiles, Brookside, Little Suamico and Sobieski.

Gillett Legion Post #300 placed flags at graves of local veterans on Monday. The official Memorial Day ceremony at the city Veterans Park was canceled.

Lena Legion Post #342 and Veterans of Foreign Wars #2119 of Mountain both said they were placing flags at cemeteries but planned no official ceremony.

Suring Legion Post #283 is moving forward with its traditional series of small ceremonies at local cemeteries Monday morning, reading names, firing a rifle salute and sounding TAPS as follows:

St. Michaels Cemetery, County Road M, 9 a.m.

St. John’s, Hayes, 9:30 a.m.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Suring Hill, 10 a.m.

Breed Cemetery, state Highway 32, 10:30 a.m.

The Bay at Suring Rehabilitation Center, 11 a.m.

Frostville & Trinity at Trinity Cemetery, 11:30 a.m.

Hickory Cemetery, 1 p.m.