Memorial Day events set in county
RED OAK — A retired Iowa National Guard member will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor Memorial Day program.
Col. G. Dave Lewis retired from the Iowa National Guard after 26 years of honorable service in February 2013.
Lewis received his commission in 1989 through the ROTC program at the University of Iowa.
His previous assignments include Executive Officer 185th Regional Training Institute, Deputy Commander 734th Agri-Business Development Team, Kunar Province Afghanistan, Commander of 2/34th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 67th Troop Command, Iowa City, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Personnel Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer of the 234th Signal Battalion Cedar Rapids.
Lewis’ awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal third award, Army Commendation Medal second award, Army Achievement Medal sixth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal sixth award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Iowa Meritorious Service Medal second award, Iowa Commendation Medal second award, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Iowa Recruiting Ribbon, Force Support Package Ribbon, Iowa State Service Ribbon fifth award, General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, Signal Corps Regimental Association Bronze Order of Mercury and the Cadet Command Field Grade Officer Instructor of the Year Award.
In his civilian career, Lewis is a Senior Associate for Advancement Resources where he facilitates training in Philanthropy.
Court of Honor member Al Myers will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which will begin at 10:45 a.m. outside the Evergreen Cemetery with a concert by the Red Oak High School Band. Rev. Fred Pilecki will provide the invocation, and the posting of colors will begin at 11 a.m.
Other Services
Several other communities in the area will also be hosting services Monday, including:
— Stanton American Legion, starting at 10 a.m., in the high school;
—Wales Area Court of Honor will be hosting a service starting at 10 a.m. in the Gomer Cemetery. There will be a guest speaker and the Henderson American Legion is expected to participate. The cemetery is located one mile east of Wales;
— The Emerson American Legion Post #575 will host a service at the Emerson Cemetery starting at noon;
— On Sunday, military services are scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. at the Guss Cemetery, 13 miles southwest of Villisca. Lunch will be served following the service at the Guss West Maple Grove United Methodist Church;
— Also on Sunday, the North Page Cemetery Board will host a ceremony starting with a pot-luck dinner at noon. The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature Rev. Gordon Scott as the guest speaker. The North Page Cemetery is located about five miles southwest of Villisca.