Several locations around Odessa and Midland will be offering events Monday honoring fallen heroes and celebrating veterans for Memorial Day.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4372, hosts a flag raising ceremony and breakfast in honor of Memorial Day Monday.
The ceremony is scheduled for 7 a.m. at the VFW Building, 208 E. VFW Lane. VFW’s Honor Guard will conduct the raising of the flag, and after the flag is raised, the VFW’s Honor Guard Chaplain will give a speech, detailing the background and history of Memorial Day and what it means for veterans.
Following the raising of the flag, the chaplain will bless the food and the breakfast will begin. The event is free and open for all to attend.
“Memorial Day is where we remember all those that have fought and served our country and gave their lives during active service,” VFW Chaplain Capt. Reese Lopez said, “as well as those that passed away after and served our country.”
Lopez said the event was also to honor those who are in active duty, and the children who will grow up to defend the nation.
After the ceremony and breakfast, Lopez said he and other VFW members would be visiting the veterans of Korea and World War II at nursing homes around Odessa.
There will also be a Memorial Day event beginning at 10 a.m. at the High Sky Wing in Midland, 9612 Wright Drive. It’s a free event open to the public with food and drinks, a short ceremony, and a vintage military aircraft flyover.
“We just want people to remember what Memorial Day’s all about,” High Sky Wing Development Officer Gene Linebarger said. “It’s trying to remember the sacrifices that were made by those who served.”
The High Sky Wing contains the Midland Army Air Field Museum, where attendees can come see vintage aircraft and see inside the cockpits.
Also on Memorial Day will be the 19th annual “Ride to Remember.” The annual motorcycle ride is open to the public, inviting people to meet at the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial in Midland, 9900 Wright Drive, and ride to the veterans memorial in Andrews, where there will be a barbecue lunch service.
“It’s a ride in remembrance of everybody that gave their life for this country,” Bill McNeill, one of the ride organizers, said.
On Memorial Day, all active duty military and veterans will also be able to eat for free from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Hooters, 2660 JBS Parkway.
>> What: Breakfast and flag raising ceremony.
>> When: 7 a.m. Monday.
>> Where: VFW Post 4372, 208 E. VFW Lane.
>> What: High Sky Wing 2018 Memorial Day.
>> When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.
>> Where: High Sky Wing, 9612 Wright Drive, Midland.
>> What: Memorial Day Ride to Remember.
>> When: 9 a.m. Monday.
>> Where: Permian Basin Veteran Memorial, 9900 Wright Drive, Midland.
