Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States to honor and mourn U.S. Military personnel who have died while serving in the Armed Forces.

In advance of Memorial Day, which is observed the last Monday of May each year, volunteers are being sought to place U.S. flags on gravesites at the Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville.

Cemetery Director Carita Trent explains the flag placement event is scheduled to be held on Thursday, May 26.

Trent says every year is different with how many volunteers participate.

Trent said depending on the number of volunteers, the flag placement event takes from 30 minutes to about an hour and a half.

If you would like to volunteer and participate in putting U.S. flags on the 5,000 gravesites at the cemetery, all you need to do is report to the cemetery’s office at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The cemetery it located at 20109 Business Highway 13 in Higginsville.

Trent says the cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday, May 30.