Memorial Day in Oz, 2025

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave their lives in military service to our country, but it wasn't always that way.  The tradition began after the Civil War, for honoring soldiers of both sides who had died.  After World War I, the tradition was changed to honor all those Americans who died fighting in any war.  It was officially made a holiday in 1971, giving us the three day weekend that has come to be associated with the beginning of summer, store sales, and barbecues.  In recent years, communities have returned to the roots of this holiday, and it has regained some of the solemn feel of its origins.  Oz has several parades and ceremonies to attend -- here are the details:


Belgium  Memorial Day will begin with Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 200 Park St.  The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Main St. at East Lane, followed by a program at Community Park at 11 a.m., located at 106 Beech St.  A cookout will be held afterwards by the American Legion Melvin Wester Post 412.

Fredonia  A Memorial Day Observance will be held at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, located at 824 Fredonia Ave.

Saukville  The Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470 will hold a prayer service at Union Cemetery at 8 a.m., including a 21-rifle salute and taps, then lead the parade which begins at 9 a.m. from nearby Riverside Park and ends at Veterans Park on East Green Bay Ave. for a ceremony.  Lunch for everyone in the community will be served following the ceremony at the Legion Post at 601 S. Dekora St.  

Port Washington  Due to road construction, there will be no parade in Port this year; however, there will still be a program at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park on the lakefront, where the Port Washington High School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School Band will play patriotic songs. The Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 will provide hot dogs, soda and ice-cream free of charge at the club house across from the park following the program, where they will also do a rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the legion hall, which will include a food truck and live music.

Grafton  The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Grafton American Legion Rose Harms Post 335 and continue to Veteran's Memorial Park for a ceremony at 11 a.m.. A luncheon will be served at the Legion Hall following the ceremony.  

Cedarburg  The Cedarburg American Legion will hold their annual parade, starting at 9 a.m. from the corner of Bridge Rd. and Washington Ave. The parade will be followed by a ceremony at the Peter Wollner Post 288 located at W57 N481 Hilbert Ave.  Everyone is invited.    

Mequon/Thiensville  The Howard J. Schroeder American Legion Post 457 will lead a parade at 10 a.m. from Grace Lutheran Church to Mequon City Hall.   Lunch to follow at the Legion Post, located at 4060 W. Mequon Road, with a multimedia presentation at 12:30 p.m.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone.