Preparations have begun in the village of Panama for the annual Memorial Day celebration. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

PANAMA — Memorial Day is approaching, and the village of Panama is beginning to prepare for their annual celebration.

The Village Board’s April meeting saw discussion on who the village would like to get to do what for this year, such as the band and the speakers.

“We usually ask someone to give a short address on Memorial Day,” Mayor William Schneider said.

Typically, Schneider said there are no set rules for who they could get to be a guest speaker, in the past having people such as legislators, superintendents and the village historian. It depends on who the village wants and those people’s schedules, as he noted that some people’s schedules fill up quickly. The board discussed getting someone newly elected as they might be trying to get out into communities more, along with Panama School’s new superintendent, Emily Harvey. Schneider encouraged the board to keep thinking of that, and it was noted that everything would need to be set for the May meeting so programs can be made.

The board also discussed getting the Girl Scouts to do some things again, and if they wanted to toss things like bracelets or candy in the parade again.

“We have to also take into consideration that this is a very special year because of the 250th anniversary of our country,” Schneider said.

With the anniversary Schneider said it would be nice if they could get someone from an organization like the Sons of the American Revolution, but that they would most likely have a full schedule too. The county has a lot of Memorial Day services all around, so Schneider said that can make it hard to get someone. The village also needs to find someone to play taps, secure the village preachers they want to have help participate, and a singer for the National Anthem. Other items the village needs to find someone to do include reading Flanders Fields, possibly the Gettysburg Address, laying the Memorial wreath, and potentially getting the Fire Department to do the Color Guard. It was also suggested to ask the National Honor Society at the school if the Girl Scouts were unable to do something. Board members and village officials will be reaching out to people to fill all of these items, with plans to “button things up” at the May meeting.