Bluffton's traditional Memorial Day activities take place Monday, May 25, according to Dennis Morrison of the Bluffton American Legion Post 382.

A parade will form at 9:15 a.m. at the Bluffton town hall, with a starting time of 9:30 a.m.

The American Legion  honor guard will lead the parade followed by the Bluffton High School band. Additional parade units will follow the band.

"We ask that all citizens please remove their caps as the honor guard passes them, to show respect for the American flag," said Morrison.

The parade route goes from Main to Grove and on to Maple Grove Cemetery. A ceremony at Maple Grove is set for 10 a.m. In event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Bluffton Middle School.

Guest speaker for the memorial ceremony will be Captain Aaron Schmutz , a 2002 graduate of Bluffton High School and 2006 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

He was deployed three times to Afghanistan, receiving the Air Medal with Valor device, the Army’s second highest award for Valor, for actions above and beyond the call of duty.

Schmutz lives in New Albany, Ohio, with his wife, Melody, and their daughter, Dianna, and will have a son, Jimmy, due in August.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Following the Memorial Day ceremonies, The Bluffton American Legion will serve a Harlan’s chicken barbecue at Citizens National Bank parking lot from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. 

Tickets will be on sale at the farmers market, Saturday, May 23, and from post members.