Memorial Day Ceremonies Set for May 30 and 31

Dale Seaquist performs “Taps” in this 2018 Peninsula Pulse file photo. He will play at American Legion Post 527’s services for his 75th year.

Door County will host many ceremonies to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country while serving in the armed forces. “Memorial Day ceremonies have been a long-standing tradition in Door County, and it’s wonderful that it’s been handed down through the generations,” said Beth Wartella, a Navy veteran and Door County’s veterans service officer. “The veterans do a remarkable job of continuing that tradition.” 

Ceremonies will be held as follows on Sunday, May 30; and Monday, May 31.

SOUTHERN DOOR COUNTY

George W. Goetz American Legion Post 372, Forestville 

Sunday, May 30

Memorial Day salutes honoring veterans who have died will be held at 23 cemeteries in the Southern Door area. An honor guard and firing squad will leave the Forestville Town Hall at 7 am and conclude around 12:15 pm, with a special observance at the town hall for members who have died within the past 10 years. 

After the ceremony at the town hall, the post will advance the colors for the Maplewood Mets baseball game. 

Those who would like to join in to pay tribute are welcome. The schedule of cemeteries with anticipated arrival times is as follows: Forestville Town (Maplewood), 7:20 am; Namur (Pit Road), 7:30 am; Brockhausen, 7:40 am; Misere, 7:50 am; Brown, 7:55 am; Kolberg, 8:05 am; Brussels, 8:20 am; White Star, 8:30 am; Precious Blood, 8:40 am; St. Joe (Fox Lane), 8:50 am; between Maplewood Stevenson, 9 am, and Forestville; Geises, 9:10 am; Maplewood, 9:55 am; Carnot, 10:10 am; Clay Banks Town, 10:25 am; Vignes, 10:35 am; Mount Olive, 10:45 am; Shiloh Moravian, 10:55 am; Schumacher, 11:05 am; Hainesville, 11:15 am; Salem-Schulties, 11:35 am; Forestville, 11:50 am; Old Catholic, 12:10 pm.

Sturgeon Bay

Monday, May 31

Brief ceremonies will be conducted at Bayside Cemetery, 3890 Bay Shore Drive, at 9 am; and at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 3737 Egg Harbor Road, at 9 am. The main ceremony will take place at the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department, 421 Michigan St., at 10 am. Please take lawn chairs if arriving close to the start of the ceremony because the number of provided chairs will be limited.

NORTHERN DOOR COUNTY

Monday, May 31

American Legion Billy Weiss Post 527 will conduct a ceremony at the Skyway Drive-In Theater, Highway 42 between Fish Creek and Ephraim, at 10:30 am. 

The Gibraltar Band will perform; the color guard will post the colors; Rev. Sue Gunderson will lead the invocation and benediction; Boy Scout Troop #1120 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance; the Battle Field Cross will be placed; the names of those who died in 2020 and 2021 will be read; and Dale Seaquist will play “Taps” for the 75th year. This year’s guest speakers will be veterans Patrick McCarty and Michael McCarty. The ceremony will conclude with Dave Gunderson singing “God Bless America.” 

Please take lawn chairs, and tune radios to FM 100.5.

Washington Island

Monday, May 31

A graveside-only program will begin at 11 am, followed by a brief ceremony at Schoolhouse Beach, 1824 Washington Harbor Road, for those lost at sea.