The Veterans of Foreign Wars will drop a wreath by helicopter on Lake Paradise in celebration of Memorial Day.

The VFW will continue to honor veterans by placing flags in the cemeteries around Charleston and Mattoon this year.

They will also place wreaths in front of monuments found at City Hall, Peterson Park and several other places, said Scott Buesking, a VFW member.

The Mattoon American Legion will also hold ceremonies and place wreaths at different sites on Memorial Day, said Bill Campbell.

At each place, the song “Taps” is played followed by the 21 Gun Salute and the placing of the wreath, said Buesking.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post is also present at each ceremony. Their president speaks, says a prayer and also places a wreath at the site, Buesking said.

There are usually about 25 to 30 people present at the ceremonies, including the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary Post and general public, said Buesking.

Buesking said the VFW also drops a wreath onto Lake Paradise each year to honor the soldiers lost a sea. Gary Melvin, owner of the Mattoon Rural King, loans his helicopter and pilot to the VFW each year to drop the wreath.

Tom Wright, helicopter pilot, said a ceremony is also held at the waterside. The wreath is then dropped and to conclude the ceremony the helicopter hovers over the water.

Wright said he has been piloting the helicopter for this event for about five years.

General John A. Logan ordered the first official observation of Memorial Day on May 5, 1968.

Waterloo, N.Y., and several surrounding communities celebrated Memorial Day, first known as “Decoration Day”, on May 30 of that year.