The Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, May 25.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day to honor those who were lost in the Civil War, but it was changed after World War 1 to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Cemetery Director Kelly Larkin says Monday’s ceremony will include a guest speaker and a firing volley at the cemetery grounds.

 

Larking says Monday’s guest speaker will be Rear Admiral Stanton Thompson.

 

Larkin also announced that the cemetery has placed flags at every grave prior to the weekend. Memorial Day Ceremonies are also taking place at Veteran Cemetery locations in Bloomfield, Fort Leonard Wood, Jacksonville, and Springfield.