North Central Region Memorial Day Activities

North Central Region members and units participated in local community Memorial Day activities across all seven wings. (Photo album link to follow.)

Iowa Wing

• Cadets of the Des Moines Composite Squadron carried the colors in the Memorial Day parade in Ames, Iowa.

• Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron members presented flowers at the Harlan Memorial Day ceremony. After the ceremony, cadets assisted with raising and lowering the flag at the cemetery.

Minnesota Wing

• 130th Composite Squadron members participated in the Honoring All Veterans Memorial Day ceremony in Richfield, MN.

• Crow Wing Composite Squadron members assisted with the Parade of Flags at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.

• Members of the Viking Composite Squadron were very active on Memorial Day: members placed flags on gravesites at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN; their color guard presented the colors at the Eden Prairie Memorial Day ceremony; and their color guard also presented the colors for Taps Across America at the Fleet Farm in Carver, MN.

Missouri Wing

• The Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron worked with the Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society to honor local Tuskegee Airman pilot Harold Brazil at the Parkway Cemetery in Joplin, MO.

• Lake Ozark Regional Composite Squadron members supported the local VFW Buddy Poppy sales at two locations in Jefferson City, MO, Sam's Club and Schultes. Proceeds from the Buddy Poppy program is used to support veterans' welfare, including rehabilitation, service programs, and the VFW National Home.

• Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron members had a very busy Memorial Day weekend: they provided a color guard for the Branson Veterans Memorial Garden Charity Golf Tournament, followed by the annual cleaning and flag placement at McCullough Cemetery in Shell Knob, while also participated in the Treasure Lake Memorial Day ceremony and raising of their 20 by 30-foot holiday flag.

• Central Missouri Composite Squadron members participated in the Gold Star Memorial Day Parade in Columbia, MO.

• Springfield Regional Composite Squadron members participated in the ceremony at the Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, MO; while other members participated in a ceremony at their local church.

• Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron members were invited by Jack Ray VFW Auxiliary 5789 to assist with putting up flags for Memorial Day Weekend at the Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery. 168 flags were put up. Each is a casket flag of a servicemember, donated by family members; a tag with the servicemember's name is included on the emplacement. Additionally, small flags were placed at the headstones of veterans.

• Platte Valley Composite Squadron members participated in the ceremony at the Terrace Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Kansas City, MO.

Nebraska Wing

• 155th Composite Squadron’s color guard posted the colors during a Memorial Day remembrance event at the Immanuel Grand Lodge in Lincoln, NE.

South Dakota Wing

• Members of Big Sioux Composite Squadron presented the colors for the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars services at Edgewood and Peaceful Pines nursing homes in Rapid City, SD.

• Members from Lincoln and Sioux Falls Composite Squadrons placed flags on veterans’ gravesites at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.

Photo link: https://photos.cap.gov/North-Central-Region/Memorial-Day-Events/2025