GRANT COUNTY — Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are planning to gather Monday to remember fallen soldiers.

The holiday, officially created in 1971 with a history dating back to shortly after the Civil War, is dedicated to honoring dead veterans.

Retired Air Force Col. Herb Petrak told a crowd last year that  people should reflect on the true meaning of the holiday.

“We come here to honor our fallen comrades by our presence. We understand that on Memorial Day, we reflect on the ideals and values that our soldiers stood for and died defending,” he said. “I submit to you that every day is Memorial Day.”

The groups plan continue their tradition of visiting area cemeteries Monday, starting at 10 a.m. in Soap Lake cemetery located at 20174 Road A NE.

They will move to the Ephrata Cemetery, located at 333 E Street SW starting at 11 a.m.

The final stop is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. at the Quincy cemetery, located on state Route 28 next to Seventh Avenue Southwest.

 Petrak said, during ceremonies last year, people should honor, respect and remember the people who died serving in the military for preserving our rights.

“I will quote from an old saying now, ‘It is the solider not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the solider not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech and it is the solider not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate,’” he said.

Pat Boyd, an Ephrata American Legion auxiliary member, said all three events feature the colorguard performing taps and a rifle salute.

“This is to give our deceased veterans full military honors,” she said. “I’ve been with the auxiliary for three years and this started way before I joined. They’ve been pretty active in saluting our veterans, both past and present. Saluting them and making sure they get their recognition.”

Ephrata Post Commander Loren Richard is speaking at the Ephrata event and Justin Ashleigh, an army veteran is speaking at the Quincy event.