TEXARKANA - Continuing efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19 has forced at least some of Texarkana's Memorial Day services to be canceled.
The Texarkana Area Veterans Council recently decided to cancel its multi-year traditional Memorial Day Eve service, which was initially set to take place at 2 p.m. May 24 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, just east of the Texarkana Regional Airport.
Besides the traditional Memorial Day Eve service, council members also agreed to cancel two services on Memorial Day. The first of these is traditionally conducted by the local American Legion at 11 a.m at the Miller County Courthouse.
The second service, which usually starts at about 11:45 a.m., following the courthouse service, is conducted by the local Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 278, at the Korea-Vietnam Memorial near North State Line Avenue and West Seventh Street in downtown Texarkana.
Of the third and final holiday service, usually held at 2 p.m at Hillcrest Cemetery on U.S. Highway 67 West, council members had no information since the service is conducted by the Texarkana Funeral Home.
In other business, VVA Chapter 278 notified the council that the annual Veterans Information Fair has been moved to June 20. Traditionally this fair has been held the weekend before Memorial Day weekend.
As in years past, the information fair will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Texas Elks Lodge #2771 at 3702 New Boston Road. The event's purpose is to assist veterans and their families in getting information from a variety of sources on U.S. Veterans Administration benefits and programs.
For more information regarding veteran-related event cancelations or postponements, call 903-556-1613, 903-824-2727 or 903-628-7216,