Solemn rites remembering the military men and women who gave their lives for their country will be held across the North Olympic Peninsula today.
Many of the Memorial Day observances today will include special commemoration of the 60th anniversary of end of World War II later this year.
Here are scheduled events:
* Sequim-Dungeness Valley: The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct ceremonies at 11 a.m. at Sequim View Cemetery.
The legion will also conduct ceremonies at Jamestown Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.; Dungeness Cemetery at noon; and Blue Mountain Cemetery at 12:45 p.m.
The public is invited to participate by placing a symbol of remembrance at the base of the flagpole during the ceremonies.
* Port Townsend: Marvin G. Shields American Legion Post No. 26 will place flags on graves of fallen military personnel at Fort Worden Military Cemetery at 10 a.m., Catholic Cemetery on San Juan Avenue at 10:30 a.m., and Laurel Grove Cemetery on Discovery Road at 11 a.m.
The public is invited to attend.
* Chimacum: District 14 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold ceremonies at 3 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Chimacum.
The rites will include all VFW posts from Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
Boy Scouts will set up American flags at 10 a.m., and the public is invited to help the Scouts at the cemetery, one-tenth mile southeast of Center Road on state Highway 19 (Beaver Valley Road).
* Joyce: A service at Crescent Pioneer Cemetery on Crescent Beach Road will take place at 11 a.m.
Retired Army Col. Don Roberts of Port Angeles will be keynote speaker, and Tessa Williams, Crescent High School student treasurer, will emcee.
Seth Williams, president of Crescent School’s National Honor Society will talk on “What Veterans Mean to Young People.” Joyce resident Gladys Johnson will recite a poem.
The Crescent School Music Department and band director Coke Smith will provide music, and Lucy Defoe will perform “Taps.”
Crescent Grange Ladies and the school National Honor Society will provide refreshments.