On May 27 and 28 at the Charleston County Market, Sava-A-Lot, and Rural King, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is selling poppies. Residents can show their support by purchasing the poppies, a flower used to commemorate American soldiers who died at war.

At 10 a.m. on May 30, the VFW Post 1592 is holding a memorial service at Roselawn Cemetery to remember those who died serving the country’s armed forces as well as at 11 a.m. at Ashmore Cemetery in Ashmore.

Mike Zimmerle, quartermaster for the VFW, said the post will be open and, “ham salad sandwiches and soup for anybody that would like to come out and have it.”

At 7 a.m. May 30, a memorial service at Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon starts with a 21-gun salute and a prayer. Participants can then continue through to all the cemeteries in the Mattoon area before moving on to the Mattoon Lake at noon.

At noon, after another 21-gun salute, participants can watch a helicopter will fly over Lake Mattoon.

Ed Davis, the commander of VFW Post 4325 in Mattoon, said a wreath will be dropped into the lake and, “that will be a good sight to see.”

“A small meal will also be offered for participants,” Davis said.

Eric Mueller, one of the leaders of Boy Scout Troop 141 said the Boy Scouts will put up flags along Lincoln Avenue as well as help with the Memorial Day ceremony at Roselawn Cemetery with the VFW. They lay the wreaths at the memorial as well as shoot the minute guns for the 21 gun salute at noon.

“We march in the small parade. All of the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts and the leaders, we march together. We also have Taps; myself and Joe Thomas (one of the scouts), are the two buglers for Troop 141. We actually blow echo taps during the ceremony. Shortly after the 21-gun salute,” Mueller says.

Destiny Bell can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected]