In conjunction with the former Paul R. Strubel Post 8710 VFW, the Strasburg Area Sertoma Club will sponsor a Memorial Day parade and service on Monday, May 31. Parade formation will begin at 8 a.m. on Clearview Drive, and the parade will commence at 9 a.m. The Memorial Day service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Strasburg Cemetery, 50 W. Franklin St., Strasburg.

The parade procession will stop first at Wesley United Methodist Church, where veterans have been interred at the cemetery behind the church. After a salute, the parade participants and spectators will observe a moment of silence to honor deceased veterans. The parade will halt next in front of Saint Michael's Lutheran Church, where honor will be paid to veterans buried in the church's historic graveyard. Local Girl Scouts will place bouquets of flowers at each cemetery. The parade will stop at the War Memorial at the town square, where VFW members will lead a flag-changing ceremony. After the parade, everyone is encouraged to take the short walk over to the Strasburg Cemetery for the memorial service.

Rep. Keith J. Greiner will be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Service. This year's honorary grand marshal will be community volunteer and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lynda Houck. Houck has volunteered with many community organizations in Strasburg and was a career officer in the Army.

The Strasburg Area Sertoma Club encourages the public to join Bare Bones Bike Shop Crew and ride decorated bicycles in the parade. The community is welcome to continue the tradition of displaying flags and other patriotic decorations along the parade route.

The tradition of placing flags, provided free of charge by the National VFW, in Strasburg-area cemeteries marking veterans' final resting places will continue. A special float, sponsored by the Strasburg Area Sertoma Club, will pay tribute to military personel, both those killed in action and those missing in action. The Lampeter-Strasburg High School marching band will participate in the parade, and the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band will perform at the memorial service.

"I'm looking forward to being able to honor those men and women who gave their last full measure in defense of this country," stated Brian Barr, parade chairman and member of Strasburg Area Sertoma Club. "This event gives all of us a chance to remember what it takes to have a free nation and express our appreciation of those sacrifices."

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, and the memorial service will take place in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Decatur Street, Strasburg. For more information, contact Barr at sgt30th@yahoo.com.