Gary Karlene, owner of Karlene's Landscaping of Kane, dumps a load of mulch at a planting bed in the memorial area at Evergreen Park. Karlene donated his time and materials to dress up the park in preparation for the Memorial Day program to be held Monday.

Memorial Day programs are slated Monday in Kane, Mt. Jewett and Ludlow.

The Kane program kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday with a parade from Poplar Street to the memorial area at Evergreen Park at Fraley and Chestnut Streets. In the past, the parade has started at 9 a.m. The starting time has been moved back one hour in an attempt to draw a larger crowd.

Kane Mayor Doug Caldwell will serve as master-of-ceremonies for the Memorial Day program at the "point" at Evergreen Park. The Rev. Philip Pinczewski, pastor of St. Callistus Catholic Church in Kane, will give the invocation. Gibson and Zampogna will place memorial wreaths at the park. Eagle Scout Dustin Beane will lead the Boy Scout memorial service. The high school band will perform musical selections. The Kane VFW will provide the firing squad for the salute.

Harold Hallberg of Kane will deliver the Memorial Day message. He is a retired first sergeant with the U.S. Army. Hallberg is a 1958 graduate of Kane Area High School. He joined the Army after graduating from high school and served in the Army for 22 years. He saw active duty in Europe, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea. He has received the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation medal.

After retiring from the Army, Hallberg worked in Wyoming, Florida and Louisiana. He returned to Kane in October 2004 and lives at 413 W. Hemlock Ave. His wife is the former Emmy Benson, a Kane native who graduated from Kane Area High School in 1961. The couple have two daughters, Julie Wilson of Wyoming and Janette Roost of South Dakota. The Hallbergs have five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Hallberg's hobbies include hunting, fishing, golf and woodworking. He is the senior vice commander-elect for the VFW. He has been a service officer for the VFW.

The Mt. Jewett program begins Monday with a parade at 11 a.m. The parade will form on East Main Street (Route 6) near McClellan Avenue and proceed west to the veterans memorial park gazebo on West Main Street. The Kane Area High School marching band also is expected to perform in this parade.

The Rev. W. Craig Smith, pastor at the Mt. Jewett and Hazel Hurst Methodist Church, will give the invocation and benediction at the program at the gazebo. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Paul Swanson of Mt. Jewett will serve as master-of-ceremonies.

Mike Wennerstrom, commander of the VFW, is chairman of the Memorial Day program in Mt. Jewett. Jack Geer, commander of the American Legion, also will take part in the program.

The speaker will be Don Warren Sr., a past commander of both the American Legion and VFW in Mt. Jewett. Warren, who has lived in Mt. Jewett since 1970, served as a petty officer third class on the USS Bingham and saw duty in the South Pacific during World War II.

A native of New Castle, Warren retired in 1969 after working in Mt. Jewett as a building contractor. His wife is Arlene Warren. The Memorial Day speaker in Mt. Jewett has two sons, Don Jr. of Mt. Jewett and John of New Castle, and two daughters, Linda of New Castle and Pam of Bradford. Warren has 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial Day services begin at 11:15 a.m. Monday at the Gibbs Hill Cemetery in Ludlow.

The program is sponsored by the James Uber American Legion Post 489 in Ludlow.

The Rev. Ray Gramata, pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Sheffield, is the guest speaker for the program. Johnathan Bires will lead the raising of the flag. Kenneth Holmes and Eugene Lucia will lead the pledge of allegiance. Alfred Johnson will give the invocation. Georgi Rice will lead the singing of "God Bless America," the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the "Star Spangled Banner."

Local veterans who have died in the past year will be recognized. The group also will honor deceased members of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Jack Lee will be the bell ringer for this ceremony.

The Sheffield and Clarendon VFW will provide the Firing Squad and Color Guard. Taps will be played by members of the Sheffield High School marching band.

Taking part in the program are Kenneth Eckstrom, Legion commander; Tom Nelson, Alfred Johnson and John Cox, Moriah Cemetery flags; Ernest Anderson, John Straneva, Eckstrom and Bill Blauser, Gibbs Hill Cemetery flags; Judy Cox, group director; and Deacon Joseph Lucia, programs.