In honor of those who served in the armed forces, especially who lost their lives, the community will observe Memorial Day at the 15th annual county ceremony on Monday.

Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Wicomico County War Veterans’ Memorial in front of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, the event will feature lowering of the colors by the Wicomico County JROTC, ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

Veterans and their families will be recognized and there will be a family tribute to Gold Star Mothers. War Memorial Committee Member Sgt. Ed Tattersall, U.S. Army, will reads names of veterans to recognize local residents who have fallen in the line of duty.

Free and open to the public, the program is organized by members of the War Memorial Committee. In case of rain, it will indoors, in the Midway Room of the Civic Center.

The annual program began in 2002, when a group of veterans from all branches of the military organized to honor and preserve the memory of those who gave their lives for their country. The result was the construction of the War Veterans’ Memorial, where flags from each branch of the service, along with flags representing the United States, Maryland and Wicomico County, and the POW-MIA flag, fly over a brick wall with bronze plaques that bear the names of fallen veterans since World War I.

Committee members are seeking information on individuals whose name are on the wall. Anyone with details can contact Tammy Taylor at ttaylor@wicomicocounty.org or at 410-548-4900.

To preserve the memorial and honor loved ones, citizens may purchase a Tree of Honor Gold Leaf. Each leaf will be engraved with the honoree’s name and a short message and displayed on the Veterans' Tree of Honor in the Civic Center lobby. Leaves cost $100 each. To buy one, call Taylor. Proceeds will be used to maintain the War Memorial.

Another fund-raiser for the Memorial is this year’s Run to Remember Memorial Day 5K Saturday morning at WinterPlace Park.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race will start at 9 a.m.  The cost is $25 in advance and $30 on race day. Call 410-548-4900.

Flags for Heroes, sponsored by the Salisbury Sunrise Rotary Club, honors the brave and selfless, including first responders and personal heroes, using the phrase, “Remembering those who served. Honoring those who serve. All gave some. Some gave all.”

An eye-catching display of 500 flags is arranged at Hobbs Road and Route 50, next to Perdue Stadium.

Flags can be sponsored for $50 each. See salisburysunriserotary.org. Proceeds will support local veteran causes and Rotary’s community projects, including school supply distribution, Christmas at the Christian Shelter and the Wheelchair Ramp Build.