From Staff Reports

A variety of area organizations are gearing up to honor the Memorial Day holiday. The Express has compiled a list of events for the upcoming weekend:

FRIDAY, MAY 22

— Howard Area Lions will have their Memorial Service this evening, May 22, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Foster Joseph Sayers Medal of Honor Memorial Monument at the breast of the dam. The Lions will be coordinating the program with the Centre County Veterans Affairs office this year.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for this outdoor program.

In addition to several guest speakers, a very moving memorial tribute with bagpipers and an Honor Guard is being planned for the ceremony to honor all of our fallen military heroes that Memorial Day honors each year. There will be a wreath laying at the Foster Sayers monument and the unveiling of new pavers that have been laid in the Walk of Honor.

SATURDAY, May 23

— Join Debbie Burger and her family on Saturday, May 23, at the Boalsburg Military Museum where Burger will be giving an update on her and her siblings progress in located their brother, Major Lewis P. Smith, II, who is still listed as Missing in Action since 1968 when his plane was shot down near Laos during the Vietnam War.

The program is sponsored by “A Soldiers Hand” and is called “A Walk to Remember.”

A Soldiers Hand does an amazing job of supporting our troops and honoring our military veterans. The organization invited Burger to share her family’s story and mission to find Lewis and bring him back home to Bellefonte, Pa.

Monday,

May 25

— The annual Sugar Valley Memorial Day parade will be held at 2 p.m. in Loganton.

St. John’s United Church of Christ will have a food stand with ham bar-b-que sandwiches, drinks and desserts before the parade.

A chicken BBQ will be held by the Sugar Valley Volunteer Fire Company. Only chicken will be served starting at 10 a.m. Following the parade a meal can be purchased.

A Tractor Show will be held at the corner of East Main Street and Bishop Street.

A Remembrance Ceremony will be held immediately following the parade.

Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the day. Visit with old friends while making new friends.

— The annual Beech Creek American Legion Memorial Day Parade will be held starting at 10 a.m. Line-up is at 9 a.m. on Sayers Dam Road (behind the ballfields in Blanchard).

Parade kicks off at the Liberty Baptist Church and winds through Blanchard. Parade will stop along the route for the 21 Gun Salute and wreath laying at the cemeteries and at the Veterans Memorial Bridge before ending at the American Legion grounds where parade participants can enjoy free hot dogs and drinks. To register your float, twirling group, ball team or other parade entry please contact Bill Bechdel at 570-660-2568.

Memorial services will be held at the following cemeteries on Monday, May 25:

Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 893 in Milesburg will be participating in memorial services on Monday, May 25, at the following cemeteries:

9 a.m. at Advent Cemetery, Moose Run Road, Bellefonte.

10 a.m. at the Trcziyulny Cemetery.

10:45 a.m. at New Union Cemetery.

11:30 a.m. at New Union Cemetery

2:45 p.m. at Milesburg Community Cemetery

3:15 p.m. services will be held at the Swamp Poodle Cemetery.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 25, at 1 p.m., at Eagle Cemetery. This year the guest speaker will be military veteran Paul Kline.

Eagle Cemetery is located along Old 220 Road near the Curtin United Methodist Church and Curtin Village. For more info about Eagle Cemetery please call Sam at 814-355-2448.

— The Schencks Cemetery Association will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The guest speaker will be local radio personality Tor Michaels. Anna Lyons Perry of Lock Haven will be the song leader. Honor Guard from Milesburg American Legion Post 893 will be participating.

Schencks Cemetery is located on Lower Greens Run Road in Howard Township. Bring a chair for your comfort and plan to stay and visit with neighbors and seldom-seen friends.