Fort Atkinson Memorial Day Events – Monday, May 26, 2025

The Memorial Day Committee of the American Legion Post 166, Fort Atkinson, has announced city events for this Monday, May 26, 2025.

The rich tradition of the Fort Atkinson community has long honored its members who currently serve in all military branches – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force – as well as veterans who have served, and those of our community and nation who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

Fort Atkinson’s Memorial Day events on Monday, May 26 are as follows:

• The day will begin with a breakfast at the American Legion dugout, 201 South Water Street East, from 6:30am to 9:30am. Cost of the breakfast is $7 adults; children ages 3-12, $4; and free for children under age 3. The breakfast is sponsored by the Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion Auxiliary.

• At 10:00am, events will get underway with a Marine Observance at the American Legion, Post 166, located at 201 South Water Street East.

  • Flowers will be strewn by Robin White of Post 166 American Legion Auxiliary, Dee Dee Carothers of Post 1879 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Karen Swader of Chapter 409 Vietnam Veterans of America, Nancy Olson of Daughters of the American Revolution, and Helen O’Neil, Gold Star Mothers.

  • Navy veteran Roger Faultersak will honor our fallen in the form of the tradition of Eight Bells, which pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor’s “watch” is over. Korynne Kutz will then read the poem from Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae written during World War One, “In Flanders Field.”

• At 10:30am, the annual Memorial Day parade will start out from the Legion Post, continuing through downtown, northbound on Main Street, and will then proceed to the Evergreen Cemetery.

  • Parade Marshal this year is American Legion Auxiliary Vice-President, Anita Freeman. The parade will feature the Fort Atkinson Honor Guard, Daughters of the American Revolution, military vehicles, the Fort Atkinson High School (FAHS) marching band, FAHS future enlistees and active-duty members, and local scouts. Also included will be a Joint Honor Guard, dignitary vehicles, and civic groups.

• At approximately 11:00am, the parade will arrive at Evergreen Cemetery, where a Joint Honor Guard will conduct a Memorial Day observance. American Legion Post 166 Commander Tom Freeman will be the master of ceremonies. Guest speaker will be United States Army Combat Veteran Kyle Bente.

  • This year, Logan’s Orders will be read by 2025 Fort Atkinson High School Senior Class President Korynne Kutz. The Gettysburg Address will be read by 2026 Senior Class President Mackenna Farrell.

  • Decorating the Monument will be Steve Swader of Chapter 409 Vietnams Veterans of America, Archie Hafer of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879, Tom Freeman of Post 166 American Legion, and Al Olsen of the Disabled American Veterans.

  • Buglers Alexis Bigelow and Oscar Garcia from Fort Atkinson High School will play echo taps followed by the Fort Atkinson High School Senior band playing the Star Spangled Banner.

  • VFW Post 1879 Chaplain Richard Miles will command the Honor Guard for the event.

• The event should conclude at approximately 12:00pm.

Flowers for the honor ceremonies are donated by Pick -N-Save of Fort Atkinson. In case of inclement weather, the Evergreen ceremony will be held at the American Legion Hall. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 also will have a ceremony followed by a luncheon starting at noon outside the clubhouse at N2074 Vets Lane, Fort Atkinson.

Fort Atkinson Boy Scout Troop 134 and Pack 137 have solemnly placed nearly 1,800 American flags on veterans’ graves at Lakeview, St Josephs and Evergreen cemeteries on May 18. Flags are scheduled to be removed on June 22.

The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution, passed by Congress in December 2000, asks that at 3:00pm local time, all Americans are asked “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”

The veteran organizations also remind all community residents to show respect by flying their flags. If a flag is flown on a flagpole, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon at which time it should be raised fully.

According to Daniel Juday, Memorial Day Coordinator, “This annual event is held to give our citizens an opportunity to honor our service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. It also provides an opportunity to educate our youth on respect for the United States flag and the importance of service to our communities and country.”

Photo Credit: Vietnam Veterans of America