Friends, neighbors and families gathered at the historic Bear Creek Cemetery and Bear Creek Church over the Memorial Day weekend to honor the memory of loved ones and veterans who have passed away.

The Dysart Community Foundation is announcing the distribution of $12,700 in grants to the following organizations serving the City of Dysart.-Dysart Community Vacation Bible School: Funding assistance for materials and snacks-Norma Anders Public Library: Summer reading incentives and enrichment programs-Dysart Historical Society: Painting of the country school building-Dysart Cemetery Association: Installing block markers and a cemetery map-Dysart Recreation: L Screen for school softball field and the city park baseball field-Wolfcreek Players: Summer theater camp-Club Dysart: Activities for 4th of July Celebration & nation’s 250th anniversary-Union Middle School: Purchase equipment and supplies for Family & Consumer Science classes-Union Community Rec Soccer: Field striping machines-Vision Dysart: Funding the creation and installation of three original art panels on Main Street Dysart’s Pocket Park-Tama County Historical Society: Preserving and digitizing Dysart’s historical newspapersThis is the 27th year of awarding grants.

Just north of Vinton, at the Marlow home, a Memorial Day display received an unexpected and unforgettable finishing touch this week. A large Bigfoot figure stood quietly holding an American flag beside a single white cross in a simple but meaningful tribute to those who gave their lives in service to the country.

With flags fluttering in the spring breeze and flowers carefully placed beside weathered headstones, Vinton area students and residents once again came together to prepare local cemeteries for Memorial Day weekend.

The Benton County American Legion presented local students with various scholarships and awards. Opening the ceremony was Michael Naylor, the Benton County Commander who presented the scholarships along with Chair Doug Anderson.

Members of the Benton County American Legion recently took time to honor the sacrifices of America’s veterans by placing a memorial wreath at the Benton County Memorial along Highway 30.

As families pause this Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor those who served our country, many may also be looking for meaningful ways to keep the memory of their veterans alive for future generations.

The Shellsburg American Legion Saturday morning breakfast is held each Saturday. The hours are 8 - 10 am. Click here to download the breakfast menu (PDF).

Just a reminder that there will be no outbound email on Monday. I'll be uploading some things over the weekend so there might be a few things of interest.

There is a common thread woven through every Quilt of Valor ceremony, the belief among many veterans that someone else deserved the recognition more than they did.