Minnesotans will join the nation Monday in honoring those who have died while in military service. On Memorial Day, services and events will be at cemeteries and parks throughout the Twin Cities metro. Because of the national holiday, many businesses will be closed. Buses and light rail will run on holiday schedules. 

At Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Brigadier General Joseph Kelly, who retired from the National Guard in 2011, will give an address during the cemetery’s annual program. A wreath ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m., with a parade and ceremony at 10 a.m. Music by the 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull) Band and Zuhrah Pipes and Drums. The events will be at the intersection of Peck Avenue and Mallon Road.

Other Monday events around the metro include:

• Minneapolis: 1:30 p.m., Minnesota Veterans Home, 5101 Minnehaha Av. S., Building 19 with music by the Minnesota Police Pipe Band and speech by Dan Ludwig.
• Minneapolis: 10:30 a.m., Lakewood Cemetery, Hennpin Avenue S. and 36th Street. Gospel quartet led by Robert Robinson and presentation by veteran and historical artist David Geister, a veteran and historical artist.
• St. Paul: 10 a.m., Oakland Cemetery, 927 Jackson St. Service will include speeches by Ramsey County Commissioner Janice Rettman and Robin Picray of the American Legion. Followed at noon by Pat Hill’s annual Civil War Tour of the many Union soldiers buried there. (This will be Hill’s final Memorial Day event, after 20 years of the two-hour tours.)
• St. Paul: several events on the State Capitol Grounds. 9:30 a.m. event Veterans for Peace event with speech, music and poetry near the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 10 a.m., dedication of the Minnesota Workers Memorial wall with speech by former Vice President Walter Mondale. 1 p.m. event at the Korean War Veterans Memorial with speech by Lt. Col. Richard Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps.  3 p.m. ceremony with Anoka County Chapter 470, Vietnam Veterans of America at Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• St. Paul: Memorial Day music at the Como Park Pavilion, 1360 N. Lexington Pkwy. The Roseville Community Band performs at 3 p.m., the Minnesota State Band at 4 p.m., and the Vallee de Croix Chorus at 7 p.m. 
• Richfield: 2 p.m.,  All Veterans Memorial Site, 6429 Portland Av. S., ceremony including speech by Floyd Roman, a World War II veteran and retired Richfield police officer.
• Stillwater: 11 a.m. Stillwater Veterans Memorial, Third and Pine streets. Speech by Army veteran Pete Hegseth, with music, a flyover and rifle salute. 
• Hastings: 9 a.m., flag ceremony at the Minnesota Veterans Home, 1200 E. 18th St., followed by 10 a.m. program at Roadside Park and short ceremonies at the Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery at West First Street and Ninninger Road and at the Veterans Memorial at Hastings RiverWalk at Ramsey and First streets.
• White Bear Lake: 9:30 a.m. parade starting at City Hall, with 10 a.m. ceremony at Union Cemetery. 2 p.m. memorial for the Lost at Sea, Veteran’s Memorial Park.
• Mahtomedi: 9 a.m. American Legion parade from the high school to Triangle Park.
• Little Falls: 1:30 p.m., Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, 15550 Hwy. 115. Music by Richfield Symphonic Band. Carla Tappanier, first vice commander of American Legion Post 1776, will speak.
  
  

State flags will fly at half-staff Monday morning, as decreed by Gov. Mark Dayton. The Memorial Day flag tradition, according to the governor’s office, requires that the American and state flags be “quickly raised to the tops of flagpoles, slowly lowered to half-mast, and then raised again to full height at noon. The time at half-mast is meant to honor American servicemen and women who have died for their country. Re-raising the flag is meant to symbolize the resolve of the living to carry on the fight for freedom so that the nation’s heroes will not have died in vain.”

The governor’s proclamation says: 

“The United States of America and the State of Minnesota honor the spirit, courage and tenacity of generations of Armed Forces members and their families. As we pray for peace in our world, let us never forget those who have served on our behalf.”