Communities in the West Valley will hold Memorial Day ceremonies Monday, May 26, to honor U.S. military personnel who died in service.

In Buckeye, the city’s Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. at the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery, 23100 W. Broadway Road.

The event will feature a presentation of colors by the Buckeye Honor Guard, a bell ringing ceremony, and a keynote address by Chief Master Sgt. Jason Shaffer of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base.

Litchfield Park will also host a Memorial Day observance at 7 a.m. The 30-minute ceremony will take place in front of the World War II Memorial on the west side of Litchfield Elementary School, 255 E. Wigwam Blvd.

Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf will lead the program, which will include patriotic music, a floral tribute, a prayer, a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps.” A special memorial presentation will follow.

Light refreshments will be served, and parking will be available in the school’s south lot.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May to commemorate members of the U.S. Armed Forces who died while serving. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday traces its origins to the aftermath of the Civil War and has since become a nationwide day of remembrance.