MEMORIAL DAY PARADE - May 26, 2025

 Every year, Raymond's population seems to double or triple on Memorial Day, as current and former residents come together to celebrate and remember the sacrifices that our veterans have made for us to live in freedom.

Raymond's 119th community observance of Memorial Day will take place on Monday, May 26 with the traditional parade from cemetery to cemetery and the reading of the names of deceased veterans. 

Prior to Memorial Day, Legion members will decorate the final resting places of over 290 veterans in the five area cemeteries of Raymond, Prinsburg and Roseland.

The Raymond American Legion Peter Leuze Post 420 will again lead this year's parade, the 104th year the Post and Auxiliary has done so.  The parade will line up by 8:30 a.m. at the Raymond Christian Reformed Church and will step off at 9 a.m.  In the event of rain, the observance will be held in the Raymond Event Center.

Marchers, veterans, mounted riders, and other groups will march past the Cenex Store, turn right on Highway 23, where the parade will head east to the Fairview Cemetery.

Joe Apol, Post Chaplain, will open with a prayer. Jim Larson, a retired U.S. Army Colonel will deliver the message, and MACCRAY band will play. Randy Ronning, Post Vice Commander will read the names of deceased veterans.   A 21-gun salute will be given at Fairview and then the parade will regroup and proceed to St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.  There, Apol will give the opening prayer and Ronning will read the names of the deceased veterans.  A pastor from St. John’s will deliver the message.  There will also be a 21-gun salute.

Prior to Memorial Day, Legion members will decorate the final resting places of over 285 veterans in the five area cemeteries of Raymond, Prinsburg and Roseland.  The Legion’s annual meeting will be held at the community center, following the observance.

The Harvest Fest committee will serve a lunch of grilled hot dogs and all the fixings from 11 am to 1 pm at the Firehall. Free will donation for kids activities at the Harvest Fest. 

The Raymond Area Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  A special Civil War exhibit will be featured at the museum.