News : Area veterans lead annual Memorial Day services

Veterans walk from Maplewood Cemetery to St. Mary's for Memorial Day services this morning.

Matt Lash and Megan Jorgensen play taps at St. Mary's Cemetery during Memorial Day service.

Memorial Day ceremonies took place at St. Mary's Cemetery and others throughout Vinton Monday.

Veterans honor the dead with a rifle salute.

The annual Memorial Day services began Monday morning at Maplewood and St. Mary's cemeteries on the west edge of Vinton. Area veterans from the VFW, AMVETS and American Legion honored America's fallen soldiers with gun salutes, prayers and other words. Vinton-Shellsburg High School band members Megan Jorgensen and Matt Lash played taps.

The services continue with a 10 a.m. ceremony at the bridge to honor those buried at sea and the 11 a.m. service at Veterans Park.