Memorial Day observances planned in Hortonville and New London

NEW LONDON-HORTONVILLE –Local veterans’ organizations have finalized schedules for Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 25, 2026, honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Hortonville and Medina observances
The Hammond-Schmit American Legion Post 55 will coordinate a multi-stage remembrance spanning across both Hortonville and Medina.
The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. inside the Hortonville High School Auditorium. Matthew Wittlin of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) will welcome attendees, followed by the posting of colors by the American Legion and Auxiliary guard units.
Jonathan Pylypiv, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the Fox Valley Veterans Council, will deliver this year’s keynote Memorial Day Address. Kurt Sommers, Post 55 Commander, will present a Tribute to Veterans.

Musically, the program features the Hortonville High School Band performing the “Marches of the Armed Forces,” during which active duty personnel and veterans will stand to be recognized. The Hortonville Area Community Choir, directed by Ona Leddy, Ana Franto, and Paula Cole, will perform Mark Hayes’ arrangement of “America the Beautiful”. Scout Braxton Strauss of Troop 36 will give a formal memorial reading.
Following the indoor benediction, participants will form a traditional community March to Veteran’s Park. The procession will include the Legion Color Guards, SAL members, the high school band, and local Scout and Cub Scout units.
At Veteran’s Park, a secondary riverside ceremony will take place. Post 55 Chaplain Robert Baumgart will lead a memorial prayer, and Hortonville Scout Troops will execute a wreath-laying ceremony. Mallory Bunnell of Greenville Scout Troop 77 will provide a reading. The park ceremony concludes with a traditional rifle salute by the Hammond-Schmit Post 55 Honor Guard, followed by the playing of “Taps”.
Later that morning, at 11:15 a.m., Post 55 members will reconvene further east to host a final standalone Memorial Day Program at Armitage Park in Medina.

New London Memorial Day observance

In New London, American Legion Post 263 will sponsor the city’s annual Memorial Day Observance ceremony from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Taft Veterans’ Park along the banks of the Wolf River.
Post Commander Terry Lathrop will deliver the opening welcome and closing remarks. Trinity Pastor Chuck Thompson will invoke the opening and closing prayers.
A signature component of the New London service will be the Laying of the Naval Wreath into the Wolf River, a duty performed jointly by Scouting America Troop 59 and Pack 3059. The youth units will also lead the Pledge of Allegiance and lower the park’s American flag to half-mast.
This year’s itinerary includes a recitation of the classic war poem “In Flanders Fields” by American Legion Auxiliary member Lynn Finch. Local youth will be highlighted through a special reading of an Americanism Essay penned by Ruby McCartney.
Tim Roberts, American Legion Adjutant, will take the stage to deliver the main Memorial Day Message.
The New London High School Band will anchor the event’s patriotism with multiple selections, including the National Anthem, the “Armed Forces Medley,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America”. The ceremonial tolling of bells will honor area veterans who passed away over the prior year.
Don Schmoll and Bill Crowe of the New London AMVETS Post 45 will render the official Honor Guard rifle salute, preceding the playing of “Taps” by high school buglers.
Randy Cleveland provides sound production for the park layout, with a large perimeter display of American flags managed by the Patriot Guard.
Immediately following the closing notes at Taft Park, the public is invited to gather at the American Legion Post for a free community luncheon presented by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 263.