Memorial Day events: What is still happening in Butler and Warren counties

The Butler County Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument was built by the people of Butler County to honor those who served and who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.  The monument also celebrates the men and women who first settled Butler County.  The monument is open to the public Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. 

The monument is located at One South Monument Avenue in Hamilton at the site Fort Hamilton was located. Construction started in 1902 and the official dedication took place July 4, 1906. 

A 3,500 pound, 14 foot, bronze statue of a Civil War soldier known as "Billy Yank" created by Hamilton sculptor Rudolph Theim stands on top of the monument. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

The Butler County Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument was built by the people of Butler County to honor those who served and who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country. The monument also celebrates the men and women who first settled Butler County. The monument is open to the public Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. The monument is located at One South Monument Avenue in Hamilton at the site Fort Hamilton was located. Construction started in 1902 and the official dedication took place July 4, 1906. A 3,500 pound, 14 foot, bronze statue of a Civil War soldier known as "Billy Yank" created by Hamilton sculptor Rudolph Theim stands on top of the monument. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Communities in the area have adjusted their plans for recognizing Memorial Day during the current coronavirus precautions.

Here is what is happening in the area:

Hamilton

A closed Memorial Day ceremony will be held at noon Monday at the Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument on High Street. It will be taped by TvHamilton and broadcast later.

The master of ceremonies is Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller, who will be followed by a remembrance prayer by Hamilton Police Department Chaplain Frank Smith. The memorial address will be delivered by U.S. Air Force veteran Ken Calihan, followed by Butler County Veterans Memorial Committee chairman Michael Cupp recognizing those veterans in attendance.

AMVETS Post 1983 color guard and the Hamilton Fire Department Honor Guard will support Hamilton Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeff Shaw as he lays a wreath at the base of the monument building. Officials will ask for a citywide moment of silence as that happened at 1 p.m.This will be at 1 p.m.

Committee co-chairman and U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Fred Bailey is again this year leading a group of volunteers flagging veterans graves at Greenwood, St. Stephen, St. Mary, the Jewish Cemetery and Hickory Flat Cemetery. For more information or to volunteer to help, call 513-886-8670.

Middletown

The city is holding a virtual Memorial Day service at noon Monday on YouTube and other social media platforms including Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParadesMiddletown.

The city is looking for volunteers to put flags on veterans graves through Monday at Woodside Cemetery. For more information or to volunteer, call 513-649-9699.

Jeri Lewis of the parades committee is also asking residents to wrap yellow ribbons around their trees in front of their homes.

Fairfield

The city will broadcast a closed Memorial Day ceremony with the Honor Guard at 11 a.m. Monday on TV Fairfield and on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FairfieldParks.

The Cincinnati Warbirds EAA Squadron 18 is scheduled for flyovers between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Mason:

American Legion Post 194 will broadcast a virtual ceremony at www.facebook.com/MasonAmericanLegion. The ceremony will take place at noon Monday, and will include the raising of the American flag.

Mason veterans and active military are then encouraged to explore the community and sendphotos of their favorite patriotic decorated house or business. Those who participate will be eligible to receive a gift card and residents and businesses that have been nominated will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card.

Veterans and active military are invited to share their favorite pictures by emailing Jenna Hurley at jhurley@masonoh.org or posting on social media using the hashtag #MasonMemorialDay2020.

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