Port, Saukville Holding Memorial Day Parades, Events

More flags than usual are already flapping above the streets of Port Washington as area residents gear up for a three-day weekend and holiday that honors the memories those who served in the U.S. military.

Saukville is giving the holiday an early start with a short prayer service at 8 a.m. Monday at the Union Cemetery on South Main Street, organizer John Staton said. That service will be followed by a rifle salute and taps, and then the parade. Participants will line up at West Riverside Park, also known as Rebels Park, across the street from where the prayer service will be held.

The parade will features the Boy Scouts, color guard and more, and will march down to Veterans Park, Staton said. After the parade, there will be a flag-lowering ceremony, rifle salute and a "Taps" performance.

If you're not up that early, head over to Port Washington, where organizer Ralph Hess said a parade will leave from the corner of Main and Wisconsin streets at 11 a.m. Monday.

The parade will then head south on Wisconsin Street to West Grand Avenue, then east on Grand one block to North Franklin Street, he said. The route then heads to East Pier Street, turning east and then north on Lake Street, ending at the band shell in .

The Memorial Day ceremony begins right after the parade, and includes the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" by the band, as well as the posting of the colors.

Port Washington Mayor Scott Huebner and Lt. Col. Jason Craft will both give speeches at the event, Hess said. Craft recently got back from Iraq and will say a few words about his time there.

The ceremony will also recognize residents who have put in 40, 50 or 60 years of service with the American Legion in Port. The closing to the ceremony will include "Taps" and a rifle salute, Hess said.